Laneige BB Cushion [Pore Control]

Hello~

I'm gonna do a review on the Laneige BB Cushion [Pore Control] today!

I just shade 21 Natural Beige for reference.

I've been wanting to purchase this BB cushion for the longest time. I've always put it off because I really don't need it but I'm so happy I bought it eventually because it has become one of my favourite bases of all time.

It doesn't have good coverage and honestly it doesn't really cover much but it evens out my blotchy skin just fine. I cancels my redness as well. I really love using this when I go to school or work because it has SPF 50PA+++ and that is bomb because I don't need to use a sunblock underneath.

The application is also damn easy because the sponge puff that it comes with is amazing. I've never felt anything like it. It's like the beauty blender but smoother and softer. It's just amazing really.
It does apply a bit light(whitish) at first though but it warms up after 5-10 minutes.

This bb cushion also smells so good. Like really really good. If you ever have a chance please go to a counter and smell it. The smell kinda lingers if you're sensitive to scents. It's not anything offensive, it's just a faint smell.

I was a bit worried to try this honestly because although I love bb creams, they seem to clog my pores like crazy sigh. But this doesn't!! I don't know if it's cause its the pore control one so it's made for oily skins but this bb cushion doesn't clog my pores and that's a super plus point for me because I have huge pores and acne prone skin.

However, if you have dry skin I would not suggest using this. Maybe you can try the original version. On days when I feel like my skin is super dry and dehydrated, this product doesn't go on as smoothly as usual. But other than that, this product is really bomb.

Its also quite affordable comparing to the amount of money I've paid for foundations. It's like about 59 SGD if I'm not wrong and it comes with two cartridges which are 15g each. I have been using this for months now and I'm still using my first cartridge. The second cartridge comes with a puff as well just in case you were wondering :)

To wrap this post up, I would say that those who have been wanting to try it, please go for it! No ragrets!! hahahahah and to those who are looking for something oil controlling with good spf and a light base for everyday wear, please check this out :)

Hope this was helpful!

Lots of love,

Alexandria ♡

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

Hi everyone!!!

I HAVE FINALLY BOUGHT THE NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION. I've been wanting it since like 2012 maybe but Nars wasn't sold in Singapore. When it finally came I was quite broke la to be honest so I waited awhile to get it because I had recently bought other foundations and like it's quite ridiculous la who even needs so many foundations. But anyways I got it cause I wanted a new foundation for my birthday.

The cap doesn't fit properly after you open it. Like the cap doesn't align with the bottle when it's screwed tight. It's not only my bottle though because I've checked with others. 

Foundation also doesn't come with a pump which is quite ridiculous to be honest because you're paying freaking 72 SGD for this foundation. It holds the usual 30ml of product. 

The pump costs 10SGD and I bought it because I have OCD. If you're fine with pouring the foundation out from the bottle straight then don't buy it cause 10 bucks for a pump is quite ridiculous. Also, the pump doesn't even have a cover.... but it has a lock so you don't have to worry about pressing the pump accidentally. 

This foundation has no SPF so it means that there won't be any flash back when taking pictures with flash which also means this foundation is good for night because you would probably need to use a flash when taking pictures at night and you won't have a ghost face.
The consistency of the foundation is not thick but it's not runny either in my opinion. Its not as light as a tinted moisturiser but it's not as heavy as other foundations I've tried. You can feel that you're wearing foundation but it's not the suffocating kind of feel. I hope it makes sense. Basically, it wear comfortably.

The colour rage is amazing! They have like ten million shades so you will probably be able to get a shade for yourself. They also run quite yellow which is good for Asian skin. I have really yellow/golden undertones and the Nars base products seem to suit me really well. I have the colour Fiji if anyone needs a reference. I'm in between Mac NC20 and NC25.
the colour matches me very well. When you first apply it it MAY seem a little light but after it settles for like 10 mins it should match fine. I also noticed that this foundation doesn't oxidise which is a plus. Ain't nobody got time for your face to become orange at the end of the day.
The foundation also photographs nicely :)

Coverage wise, it's medium buildable. I have tried it with a stippling brush, my fingers and a Beauty Blender. Using a brush gives a higher coverage compared to the Beauty Blender. It evens out my skintone fine but because I use a light layer, some of my dark acne scars can still be seen.

Using fingers to blend the product helps it melt into the skin because of the warmth. The coverage is slightly higher than a beauty blender in my opinion.
This foundation sets to a dewy finish. Not matte at all. Please bear in mind I have combination skin. 
It transfers a little when I dab my face with a tissue so you must make sure to set it with powder. It gives off a really nice finish but for my skin, especially in Singapore with the humidity, I had to blot like once or twice during the day which is normal. It doesn't control oil very well. It doesn't claim to anyways so it's fine to me.

All in all, I really like this foundation because the colour is really perfect for me. It's so hard finding a foundation match for my skin like I've mentioned before and I really love the Nars colour range.

Coverage wise is alright for me. 

Side note: I feel like this foundation works better for me when my skin is not blemished and spotty. So I would say for it to work perfectly, you would need to have good skin already.

I could also be a little bias la because Nars is one of my favourite make up brands HAHA but this foundation in my opinion would be suitable for dry, normal or combination skin. For those with oily skin it might work if you set with a good powder. Even if you're not oily I would suggest setting it with powder anyways.

Hope this review was helpful!!

Lots of love,

Alexandria ♡

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12- Hour Full Coverage Foundation Review

Hi!!!

I am so sorry there wasn't any post last week. Didn't really have time to do a proper post so hopefully I'll be able to get 2 up this week ☺

Picture is a screenshot from tartecosmetics.com 

I finally got my hands on the Tarte foundation last month after researching on it for months (or maybe even since last year) and patiently waiting for Tarte to come to Singapore. This foundation costs $60 and it has 1.7Fl. Oz/ 50ml of product. My other foundations are all 1 Fl. Oz and that's the usual size for foundations in general. So I was super duper excited to finally get it and I even got Florencia excited to get it too. We got colour matched and apparently I'm Fair Sand. Which is the lightest shade and she got Fair Beige. I think I'm yellow- neutral undertoned. I say yellow- neutral because I'm not really yellow undertoned but I'm not really cool and I can use both types of foundations/concealers ( cool & warm). I think the colour is a little too light for me now though because I'm kinda tanner now but it's not that obvious and I guess a little bronzer would even it out. Also, my face is lighter than my body so my foundations are usually not the same exact colour as my body and I don't want it to be also cause then my face would be dark and I wouldn't look normal. Foundation usually looks better on my skin after a few hours as well. 

So anyways back to the foundation. The first time I tried the foundation I must admit that I hated it. My skin was going through a dry phase and this foundation was stinging my face and it was so hard to blend because of the dryness on my face HAHA 

Side note: I used to have really really oily skin but now my skin is kind of normal to combination. I do have dry face phases but other than that it's quite normal~ like only oily after awhile and around some areas. 

So yeah, I really hated the foundation I removed it the minute I put it on ( also partly because my mother was rushing me and I got irritated and didn't have time to blend and all). But Flo wore it too and she said she loved it. After reading all the beauty gurus rave about the foundation I was determined to like it cause it was quite expensive and I didn't want to waste my money. So I waited for my skin to stop it's stupid dry nonsense and I gave the foundation another try. I liked it a bit better but I wasn't really feeling it. Like the coverage wasn't that fantastic and like I didn't really like anything in particular. 

I wore it a few more times and I've finally come to a conclusion.

These are my thoughts, I'm not saying I'm 100% right or anything but this is what I have observed :

1) The foundation doesn't make me that oily but after like 6/7 hours I do get shiny. But not oily.

2) The foundation is not full coverage. It's like light to medium. 

3) It's a semi matte finish. Not too matte and not too dewy.

4) It's lightweight. Doesn't feel heavy or thick on the skin.

5) There's no scent.

6) It doesn't really oxidize. 

7) It didn't blend easily on my skin. 

8) It separates on my skin after 8 hours of wear.

I applied this foundation using my fingers, a beauty blender and a buffing brush and the buffing brush works the best. 

Overall I would give this foundation a 6-7/10. Honestly not what I expected. I'm not sure if it's because the colour subconsciously bothers me cause I'm a paranoid person by nature or what cause today after staring at my face multiple times I realized that the colour isn't that bad like it's lighter than my body but it's not obvious, know what I mean? In other words, it matches my face but not my body. 

The formula didn't really work well with my skin but maybe it will work well on someone with oily skin ☺ Flo loves this and she has oily skin so maybe it's better for an oily skin type ☺

So ya anyways, the foundation only has an SPF of 15 which means I would still have to use sunscreen underneath this. 

I am quite sure I won't repurchase this but I will just use it up since I already have it. It's not a foundation that I enjoy using, like my Shiseido & Chanel. I am honestly disappointed by this ☹

Has anyone else tried this foundation? Maybe I'm doing something wrong~ Please let me know if you have any thoughts on this okay? ☺

Will probably do a post on face masks next so stay tuned!! ☺

Lots of love,

Alexandria ♡

November Favourites

I am so sorry for this super delayed post. Have been rather busy lately and haven't really had the time to sit here and blog ☹

Hope everyone's doing great ☺

I shall share my October + November favourites today since I'm home chilling (FINALLY)

I didn't really use much make up in October because I was busy rushing through projects and studying for exams. But I used more make up during November because I've been going out quite a lot. 

Most of my September favourites have been brought forward till now so I will not mention them. This post will be 'new' favourites ☺ 

Favourite #1: URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER MAKE UP SETTING SPRAY 

This is the first ever make up setting spray I have ever used and I really really love it. I don't really know why I love it so much but I really do. I bought the small bottle because I was scared to commit to the huge one and plus it's like half the price so it wasn't that bad ☺

I paid about $20 for this bottle if I'm not wrong. I've stopped using powder to set my make up ever since I bought this and I think it does a good job at setting my make up ( cause powder can sometimes be very unnatural) I do still use powder sometimes but only when it's a super sunny day and I know my skin is gonna be oily as hell. But other than that, this is all I've been using! 

Super love!

I use it OVER my make up. Haven't really tired using it under AND over. 

I'm not 100% sure that I would repurchase though. Let's just see when I finish the bottle ☺ 

But for now, it's definitely staying in my make up routine!

Favourite #2: BENEFIT THE POREFESSIONAL 

I usually don't use a primer under my foundation as well. I have heard a lot of things about this product and one of my favourite beauty youtubers is SUPER in love with this so I decided to give it a try! ( It came in the Benefit Little Love Potion Gift Set I got at Sephora when I was out shopping with Flo. If you want me to do a post on the set just let me know! ☺)

Anyways, I really really love this primer. I makes me foundation go on so much smoother especially around my nose and cheeks. I have really large pores in these areas and they are really quite hard to cover up. I really really love this product and I would total repurchase the full size!!!

Favourite #3: BEAUTY BLENDER

I have been hesitated buying this because I found it ridiculous spending like 30 bucks on a sponge. Like who would even do that?! But I was thinking there had to be something that made this so popular among beauty gurus and make up artists so I decided to get it when I was feeling rich one day. 

THIS. SPONGE. IS. AMAZING. 

I used to apply my foundation with my fingers because I like the way it melts and blends the foundation into my skin. ( My friends always say they don't even know I'm wearing foundation cause its so light it's practically useless HAHA) 

Okay back to the BB, this sponge makes my make up so flawless it's not even funny. I use it with the Chanel Perfection Lumiere and my Shiseido Sun Protect Liquid Foundation ( Read about my foundation reviews here) 

I think this sponge is definitely worth the 30 bucks and I am planning to buy another one soon cause I feel like it may accumulate dirty cause after all its a sponge! ( personal paranoia)

Favourite #4: BENEFIT THEYRE REAL! MASCARA

I am a fan of natural looking lashes. I am really grateful that I have been blessed with fairly thick and long lashes. ( Long and thick enough for me) I only started using mascara recently and I am really really fussy with mascara. I HATE clumpy and unnatural looking lashes. Which was why I hated the Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara the first time I tried it! ( Read about it here. )

This mascara is very natural looking and Flo always says she can't even tell I'm wearing any. I really love this BUT IT IS NOT WATERPROOF. That's the only downside sigh. I have mentioned before that I have oily eye lids. I don't use this on my bottom lashes because it will smudge after awhile. It's alright for the top though ☺

Will repurchase the full size when I finish the small bottle ( I bought the small cause I was scared to commit. It's only $16 at Sephora!)

Favourite #5: REVLON LIP BUTTER IN TUTTI FRUITTI 

I'm not one to wear lip products. I've always just stuck to plain uncolored lip balms but I decided to come out of my comfort zone. I've always wanted to try the Revlon Lip Butters ever since it came out in the US & UK. I waited for it to come to Singapore and when it finally did I decided to not buy it cause I was scared it would melt in the tube cause of the weather here. ( Personal Paranoia again) 

I finally decided to give it a chance and I bought the only orange shade available in Singapore. This was a big thing for me because like I said, I don't use any lip products and even if I do, I would use something that's similar to my natural lip colour. So anyways, I went to the restroom after buying it and tried it on. I FELL IN LOVE. I'm not even kidding. I went mental. It was like love at first use. I've been using it every time I wear make up and I really really really love it. It's super moisturizing and it doesn't make your lips have the white residue at the corners. Yknow how some lip balms/ glosses do that? Especially when you talk a lot like me. HAHA 

Really really love this and I would definitely repurchase this in the same colour when it finishes. I might even try other colours ☺

SUPER LOVE

 Favourite #6: ST IVES BOLY LOTION 

This scent is quite hard to find and my mother and I finally found it at the Guardian at Bedok Interchange. She bought this a few months ago to try and I stole it from her >:) I don't usually use body lotions because it will usually leave that irritating sticky/slimey feeling on my legs which I HATE. This does not at all. I actually finished the WHOLE TUBE. I have never finished any body lotion ever and omg this was the first ever. I just stocked up on a few tubes because I love it that much and it's only $2 for this tube ☺

If you're horrible like me and don't use body lotions you should give this a try. It smells damn clean and nice I really really love it. It doesn't make your skin feel greasy AT ALL and omg I just really love it. I would keep repurchasing this till I die. 

SUPER SUPER LOVE

Favourite #7: VICHY NORMADERM TRI-ACTIV MOISTURISER

I hate using moisturizer because I used to have oily skin and I always felt like it made me even oilier. However, I have learnt that even though you have oily/ combination skin, moisturizer is a skincare step that should never be skipped so I decided to get this after my friend, Illi, told me about it. This smells super nice and it makes your skin soft and kinda matte. It doesn't make your skin feel like super moisturized and gross it just provides the skin with enough moisture ( To me). I use this everyday under my make up and it doesn't make my make up any oilier. 

If my skin is super dry and peeling ( from spot treatments) I won't use this though because the ingredients can sometimes sting my face. I would use something like the Cetaphil moisturizer over those areas ☺

Would repurchase unless I find a better moisturizer. 

Like I said, I've just recently started using moisturizer religiously so I haven't tried many ☺

Those were the products I have been loving for the past 2 months and I hope you enjoyed reading this! ☺

Please know that everyone's skin is different and what works for my skin may not work for yours but if you're adventurous I would totally recommend all these 7 products I've mentioned today because I really really love them!

Off to do another post for the new few days so see you in a few days!

Lots of love,

Alexandria ♡

Foundations foundations foundations

Gooooooooood morning!!

I couldn't decide what to post about ( contemplating between my 'everyday' make up routine or my skin care) so I guess I'll just talk about the foundations I own or have tried, if anyone even reads this hahaha

My first ever liquid foundation:

REVLON COLOURSTAY Combo/Oily Skin

Pros:

Good coverage

Lasts long

Doesn't get oily fast

Cons:

Super thick

Smell is super strong ( but I don't mind)

Packaging is damn burden ( I transferred mine into a muji pump bottle)

I've stop using this already because it's really super thick. I used to mix it with moisturizer and it was fine :)

Repurchase? Nope cause I've found better foundations :)

Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua

Pros:

Smells nice

Super light

Looks nice in pictures ;)

Cons:

Expensive

Gets oily ( maybe it's the weather in Singapore plus my combo skin)

Packaging makes it hard to tell how much you have left

HG FOUNDATION. I know I can always count on this foundation hahahaha love it

Repurchase? Yes

Chanel Perfection Lumiere

Pros:

Smells even nicer than the VitaLumiere

Looks AMAZING in pictures

Semi matte finish 

Cons:

Expensive

May cling to dry patches

SPF not high enough for day use so I still have to use sunblock underneath

I love this foundation. Didn't purchase the full size because I bought the VitaLumiere. I have samples of this and I really really love it. The samples have lasted me for super long also. Love the smell of this but the coverage is not super high but it looks natural. 

Repurchase/purchase full size? Considering purchasing the full size because I really really like it

Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation

Pros:

Super high SPF (SPF 43+++)

Water resistant + lasts long on the skin

Good coverage

Cons:

Relatively expensive

Smells a bit like sun block ( I kinda like the smell HAHA)

Favourite foundation at the moment although I haven't used it in awhile. The last time I used foundation was almost a week ago and I used the Perfection Lumiere. I love this foundation for day time because it covers my redness and the SPF is (Y). It doesn't make me oily until like 5/6 hours so it's a good wearing foundation! I love. 

Repurchase? YES. 

Garnier BB Cream ( Miracle Skin Perfector)

Pros:

Easy to blend

All in one

Very natural looking

Cons:

I think it breaks me out.. I think

It can get oily

I'm not a fan of BB creams to begin with but this BB cream is the only one I actually kept. I use it on days when my skin is super dry and I don't wanna stress it with foundation. This must be set with a powder though cause if not my skin will just get oily. Colour is good but I really think it breaks me out :(

Repurchase? Nope cause I feel like it clogs my skin

I hope this was useful to anyone who reads this! :)

If anyone wants me to do a post about something (e.g. my make up routine/ favourite this or that) just let me know! You can write it anonymously on my ask if you want :) 

<-------- The box is there 

Till my next post

x

September Favourites

I know it's rather late doing a September Favourites now but i'm sick & i've nothing to do so I'm just gonna rave about my favourites for the past month :)

1) Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation

 I waited like super long to get this. I've used the Revlon Colourstay ( my 1st liquid foundation) and the Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua and this Shideiso one has been a favourite throughout September. I wore it everytime I wore make up. Didn't use anything else. It feels super light on the skin but provides good coverage!! :>
Quite expensive ($64) but I would totally repurchase it again when I run out~
The high SPF factor is also a plus cause I don't have to use sun block when I use this!
BUT, I wouldn't use this foundation in the night cause of the high SPF which will cause flash back when taking pictures with flash :(

2) Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

This stuff is amazing. I don't know whether it's because I'm been drinking a lot of water lately and my totm has ended but the scars on my face have really lightened ever since I started using this! I've only been using it for like 2 weeks ( not everyday) and I already see a difference :) Really really happy with this product hehe worth the $90 :)

3) Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara

My cousin recommended this to me and when I first tried it I hated it. Like I really really hated it because of the fibers. But this month I decided to give it a second chance and I've been wearing it like everyday I wear make up (4-5 times a week). It's a burden to remove though which means it's staying power is like \m/
I didn't buy it in Singapore and I can't remember how much it was~

4) Sleek Blush by 3 (Lace)

I've always used pinky shades for my cheeks but in September I wanted to try out the orange shades in the palette. They look so pretty and they don't even look orange on the cheeks at all :) Really really love this blush.( The one on the left/bottom)

Those are the things that I've used to death throughout the month of September :)
Few things but those really made an 'impact' to me the past month HAHA

Hope you enjoyed reading this! :)

Goodnight
x