Review: essence all about matt! oil control make-up base

I've been trying this product on and off for about a month now and weirdly I'm still undecided about it. In between, I've also been trying The Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It (bought 50% off of course) and my feelings for both products are about the same.

For now.

Anyway, this will just be short and sweet (hopefully!)

This is the essence 'all about matt! oil control make-up base'.

essence all about matt! oil control make-up base

PRODUCT INFORMATION

This product is a long-lasting, pore refining base that will keep your face matt with a smooth finish, and is lightweight. You can wear it alone or under makeup and you are advised to apply it thinly. It contains 20ml of product and has no SPF. This product is made in Italy and should be used up within 12 months. The price in Brunei is BND4.90.

Back of the tube (you can zoom in)

Under the all about matt! range, there are other products as well, like a foundation, an oil control paper, a loose and a compact powder. I have the loose and compact powder which I use interchangeably. I didn't buy the foundation because I have a lot of foundations opened :x

I had high hopes for this primer. I've read a lot of good things so when I saw it at Paloma, I just went for it.

How do I feel about it?

It keeps my forehead matte BUT my nose is still shiny somehow. I would say it also depends on what you put over it. 

Has a small tip, which is good

I've tried applying it thinly, applying it liberally and the results are about the same. What's good about it is that it doesn't ball up that much if you put too much accidentally. On its own without makeup on top, it doesn't keep my face from being shiny at all.

Pore refining is so-so, doesn't really blur much.

Comes out white-ish

It spreads easily, it feels a bit tacky (but you can barely notice it). It does keep my makeup on a tiny bit longer but the oil control was just not that impressive.

On its own.

On my hand, it made it smoother and a bit matte.

If I use the white powder over it, it lasts a lot better. So maybe if I try it with the foundation from the same range, it'll work a lot better.

But that's for future testing.

What's good about it compared to the TBS one is that it immediately makes my nose matte.

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PROS:

- Affordable.

- Locally available.

- Makes foundation stay on longer.

- Very lightweight.

- Doesn't clog my pores.

- Smoothens face.

CONS:

- Oil control isn't very good.

- Contains only 20ml of product.

- It needs a powder to make it stay matte longer.

- Doesn't blur the pores much.

Rating: 4/5 (I've changed my mind because this base is actually very good to me)

Will I buy this again?

YES. But I wanna buy the all about matt! foundation and try it with this.

Do I recommend this?

After they discontinued this, I changed my mind because it's actually a VERY good base in comparison to the expensive bases i've tried.

Where can you find this? 

Locally from Paloma :)

Other countries might have drugstores that carry essence as well.

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But no worries, I'll give this a go again once I buy the foundation and see if it'll work better with it.

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: Etude House Face Conditioning Cream

Hi guys! It's August and it's been AGES since I've written a post or a review.
I totally forgot how to write one.

For this particular product, I'll try and make it short and sweet.
To sum it up: I LOVE THIS!

The product I'm reviewing is the Etude House 'Face Conditioning Cream'.

Etude House Face Conditioning Cream

PRODUCT INFORMATION

This is a 3 in 1 product that acts as a moisturiser, primer and also sunscreen! It contains 75g of product and has SPF25 PA++. It is housed in a squeeze tube. This product can be used on its own or under makeup, as it is advertised as the perfect adhesive for makeup. This product is made in Korea and should be used up within 12 months. The price in Brunei is BND21.90.

The translation for it on eBay. Excuse the Engrish lol

When I bought this, I asked about the other variant, which is the Face Conditioning Cream Light. I believe that that's meant to be more for oily skin? I might be wrong but there's not really much information around. Well, Etude doesn't have it yet.

Anyway, I went ahead and bought this on a whim. I saw Bubzbeauty raving about it and I know she has oily-combination-sensitive skin so I thought it'd be safe for me to use. Etude was having a sale that time too and I really needed a good product for my dry cheeks and oily T-zone!

I'm so glad I bought this.

To start off, I have a foundation that oxidises on me like crazy, so I never wore it. I went ahead and used this on the first day of Eid under the Revlon Colorstay Foundation. My face never looked better. Due to my recent hormonal breakouts and clogged pores, this product was a saviour! The foundation didn't even oxidise! And it barely moved!

Even using it under a BB cream that doesn't last long, it made it look nice, less cakey. I also noticed less fading...other than the area under my glasses and some areas I didn't bother covering properly (dark spots).

Depending on what foundation or BB cream I use, the oil control varies. For the Colorstay, it lasted about 5-6 hours without much oil, even my cousin commented my skin looked like healthy skin! For the BB creams I tried it with, one was about 3-4 hours an the other got oily just very slightly around the nose at the 2 hour mark. But all in all, my skin still looked presentable.

Since I have an oily T-zone, I apply it all over my face after toner. A little product goes a long way. The cream doesn't leave a noticeable white cast over my face. It leaves my skin smooth and plump, and slightly sticky, perfect for foundation to adhere to.

It doesn't really conceal my pores, so I do need a separate pore filler but I'm not complaining much.

I think I've found my holy grail primer (for the time being).
FINALLY!

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PROS:

- Fantastic primer to make foundation last long.
- Oil control is good enough for me.
- Makes skin plump and smooth.
- Very lightweight.
- Doesn't clog my pores.
- Locally available.

CONS:

- Price is slightly high for the amount of product you get.
- Would have preferred a pump.
- The squeeze tube is too sensitive (easily squeezed).
- (EDIT) Somehow it doesn't work well with EH face products :/

Rating: 4.5/5 (First primer that doesn't clog my pores!)

Will I buy this again?

YES! I am curious about the Light variant though!

Do I recommend this?

Yes, but that depends on your skin needs.

Where can you find this?

You can buy this locally from Etude House Brunei.
You can also find this online :)

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Hopefully that helps you out.

I'll take photos later hopefully if I wake up early lol.
I feel slightly sick.

'til then, take care!

Eid Mubarak :D

-Nisah-

Review: Catrice Cosmetics Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow

Hi guys, how're you all?
It's the 6th day of Ramadhan and I've gained back a kilo or two. FML.
I blame the sweet stuff my family brought back from the UK (and also lack of exercise D:)

Well enough of picturing me getting fatter.

Today I'll be doing a review of the Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow in the shade 'Copper & Gabbana'.

Catrice Cosmetics Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow

Product Information:

METAL FINISH
Highly-pigmented color for an ultimate metallic shine. The creamy texture is easy to apply, won’t settle in the crease of your eyelid, doesn’t smudge and lasts and lasts and…

These cream eyeshadows are the equivalent of essence's Long Lasting Eyeshadow, except they are more posh in design. While essence's is housed in a plastic jar, the Catrice cream shadows are housed in a glass jar, with a plastic cap. It does not contain an anti-drying cap but the product stays moist. There are 3 other shades available. They contain only 5g of product, 0.5g less than essence. Product should be used up within 12 months, and they cost BND5.90 at Paloma.

Shade 080 'Copper & Gabbana'

'Copper & Gabbana' is a beautiful copper, with some noticeable golden shimmers and some multicoloured glitter. It swatches beautifully, and compliments my skin tone very well. The product itself is quite easier to apply compared to essence's. You don't need to dig your finger in to get a good amount of product. It's almost a mousse-y consistency, it's soft and it blends easily. Despite it being easier to blend, it also sets faster than Color Tattoos. Once it sets, it refuses to fall for insistent rubbing.

A softer consistency compared to essence and theBalm.
Almost similar to the Maybelline Color Tattoo.
Picture taken with flash.

Lasting power is quite good. It lasts 5-6 hours without creasing. There's minor fading but other than that, it's awesome. There's also no noticeable fallout despite the glitter.

I also tried to remove it with just water and it won't move at all!

I'd love to try it out for a longer time...however, I have a big issue with this product.

I'm allergic to the the formula D:

It swatched fine on my hand but once I put it on my lids, I felt like removing it!
It kind of tightened and it was uncomfortable, but I had to soldier on to try it out.

Such a pretty shade.
Taken with flash.

Thankfully it didn't make my eyes swollen, but I don't like pain associated with applying makeup!
I tried giving it another chance but it just hurt.

It's a shame because I love the colour and the fact that it lasts a lot longer than the Color Tattoo, I thought it'd be a nice alternative.

This is also my first Catrice product! Such a shame!

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PROS:

-Lasts about 5-6 hours without setting/without primer (Could last a lot longer, I believe)
-Works as a good base for eyeshadows.
-Affordable.
-Locally available.
-Waterproof.
-Blends so easily.
-Comparable to other drugstore, even some high end brands!
-Sets fast and doesn't budge.
-No glitter fallout.
-Product doesn't dry up easily.

CONS:

-I'm allergic to the formula.
-A bit heavier for travel.
-Limited colour selection (only 4 available on the website).

Rating: 4/5 (I love the colour and blend-ability but unfortunately I'm allergic)

Will I buy this again?

Unfortunately, no. If I wasn't allergic, maybe. But I have other cream eyeshadows that work as well.

Do I recommend this?

Yes, and hopefully you're not allergic. It's a good alternative to the Maybelline Color Tattoos (Locally available for BND10) but it has limited colour selection.

Where can you find this?

At Paloma, you can buy this at an affordable price.
Catrice is getting more available worldwide too! It's a nice alternative to other drugstore brands.

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Hope you found this review helpful.
I feel kinda bittersweet about this product.

Recently buying this, falling in love with it, then to find out I have an allergy from it.

I'm not sure if it's just this one shade, but I don't want to risk it.

Have you had a product you love but can't use due to allergy?
Leave it in the comments below!

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

P.S: I'll be uploading my Pre-Loved Products Blogsale after this. I'm selling this cream eyeshadow there.

Review: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Hi guys :D
I've been neglecting my blog for a bit u.u; I'm sorry.

Ramadan has started, so happy fasting to all Muslims :D
I hope my stomach doesn't act up during this month!

Anyway~
Going back to the topic, I'm gonna be reviewing Urban Decay's Primer Potion (UDPP) in 'Eden'!
I keep reviewing eyeshadow bases LOL.

Urban Decay Primer Potion in 'Eden' (The packaging)

Product Information:

This is it – THE most legendary primer in the beauty industry. Eyeshadow Primer Potion is coveted by makeup artists and makeup junkies alike because it guarantees more vibrant eyeshadow that lasts for 24 hours and NEVER CREASES! Once you experience its powers (plus how smoothly it glides on – an added bonus) you'll never want to live without it. Original formula dries down invisibly, while Eden, Sin and Greed are shades that can also be worn as shadows or highlighters!

Now this extraordinary elixir comes in an easy-to-squeeze tube so you can control how much you apply. You also get more primer in every tube – 11 ml instead of the original 10! 

Fill Weight: 11ml e 0.37 US fl oz

UDPP in 'Eden' (Front)

This is Urban Decay's #1 Best Selling product. It used to have a more unique packaging but the new squeeze tube is more user-friendly. They claim that this primer potion stays crease-free for 24 HOURS! Has anybody tried that claim out?

This is priced at USD20, and is RM75 at Sephora Malaysia. I bought this from there (through my older sis). That's equivalent to BND30 at the time I bought it. It contains 11ml of product, and a little goes a long way, so it would last you a while.

Other than this shade, the UDPP comes in 3 other shades: Original (Nude - Dries Invisibly), Greed (Shimmery Gold) and Sin (Champagne Shimmer).

'Eden', the one I have, is a 'nude matte finish' primer. It's a nude/skin tone finish, and works to even out your lid colour.

UDPP in 'Eden' (Back)

As a primer, it helps make your eyeshadows more vibrant, and makes it stick, hence it'd last longer. It is waterproof. If you're wearing shimmery shadows, the shimmer will disappear if your rub it but the colour will stay. It stays crease-free for me but it's really not my favourite eye primer It actually creases on me faster than my cheap essence one. Even with Urban Decay shadows. **

SWATCHES
Used a M.A.C shadow

I like it, but I DON'T love it.

Here's why:

It's SOOOOO hard to BLEND! It's almost impossible for me.
If it's already so hard to blend on the hand, imagine blending it on your lids.
My lids didn't enjoy the treatment even though it is a good primer.

What is this patchy mess??

UD claims that it glides on smoothly - well, NOT EDEN!

I'm pretty sure the other shades would be smoother.

It's a shame because there are not many primers with a nude matte finish, I'll tell you that. I do have some primers with this finish but really, there are not many primers that can even out your lid.


This was my first Urban Decay product, so I feel a bit sad. I reach out more to my other primers over this one!
That's the reason why I'm gonna sell this on my Pre-Loved Products Blogsale.

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Here are the Pros and Cons:

PROS:

-Has 3 other shades.
-Makes eyeshadow vibrant.
-Waterproof (they don't claim it as such, but it is).
-Using a normal facial cleanser will not remove the primer, only the eyeshadow itself.
-Doesn't crease **
-Evens out eyelid colour.
-Eyeshadow sticks well to the primer.
-Now comes in a convenient squeeze-y tube.
-Has 11ml of product.
-A little goes a long way.

CONS:

-Expensive.
-Hard to blend.
-Not locally available (*).
-Creases on me faster than my essence primer. At 4-5 hours**
-Only available at certain online shops or at Sephora.

*You CAN find it locally but it's sold for BND50+ at Shop@Sarah's I think (it's not an authorised reseller) OR you can also buy the replica from a seller for BND18. Mind you, they claim it's original. Some comparisons say it works about the same.

Rating: 4/5 (Blending is a B*tch)

Will I buy this again?

No. At least not this shade. I might try the original one.

Do I recommend this?

It depends. It's so hard to blend for me. But it IS a good primer.

Where can you find this?

Urban Decay's official site (for those who live in the US), they also teamed up with another site to provide for international customers but it's a bit complex?
At a Sephora branch.
Some authorised or unauthorised online sites.
Locally at Shop@Sarah's at limited quantities.

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I hope you found this review helpful!
If you did, leave a comment.

Have you tried this?
Do you like it? Do you hate it?

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

P.S: Blogsale for new/unopened makeup and skincare will be up soon!

**Edited.