Benjabelle Brush Tree Dupe :O (Review)

Hi guys! Yes, yes, it's been a while since I last updated. This is like my first post of the year.
I've had some downs in life, ugh, even typing about it is giving me anxiety.

I've been praying so hard for it to go away and health wise, I just got sick again.
All I'm gonna say is that I should have never let my ex back into my heart and back into my life.

Especially since he works at friggin' Times Square and I can't watch movies there or walk around there ANY FUCKING MORE without risking a panic attack. That means no Airport Mall or Citis Square as well.

*takes a deep breath/my anxiety just spiked up*

Anyway, I've had this since last year (well, December), shipping took like a month?
I ordered mine off of Aliexpress with the help of my brother.

You can also find them on eBay.

They have many designs now but I have the Rosalind one.

It's smaller than I thought BUT it does the job well, and it fits all of my brushes. Even the ones with a fat handle.

Sorry for the crappy pic, it's taken with my iPod Touch in bad lighting.

It's not made with the most quality, I gotta say. The acrylic does not align with the rubber thing and the middle stand is very flimsy. Like, very.

It seems like it'd break easily, so I'll deduct points from that.

The "brush tree" fits 26 brushes: 4 large handles, 6 medium handles and 16 small handled brushes.

When you receive it, you'll have to remove the sticker from the acrylic yourself so be careful because you might break the flimsy parts.

It doesn't align very well.

Another thing I have to mention is that some of the holes weren't properly cut, so you'll have to poke the holes a bit yourself.

It can fit most brushes.

If I'm not mistaken, I bought this for BND16+

If I compare it to the Benjabelle Brush Tree.... (well, from pictures and other reviews)

This is an affordable alternative but don't expect the same quality, as it is obviously produced to be cheaper and more accessible. This "brush tree" is shorter and smaller but it still gets the job done.

The Benjabelle has more designs and the price ranges from USD19.95~39.95

So, would I buy another one of these dupes?

Absolutely.

But will I buy the Benjabelle original?

Sure.

They both do the same thing.

It depends really, on what you're looking for :)

Are you planning on getting a brush tree?

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

P.S: for the record, I've made my own dupe before this, but it's such a hassle to make lol and I need to hang it outside but I'll show it to you next time haha. I only got the brush tree because I finally bought some 'pricier' brushes lol.

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.

---

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.

---

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!

---

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: Holika Holika I Want Chu♥ Lip Balm

Hiya :D I'm back with another review!
This might be short and sweet (at least I hope so).

I'll be reviewing Holika Holika's 'I Want Chu♥ Lip Balm' in '04 Cherry Coke Kiss'!

'I Want Chu♥ Lip Balm'
in '04 Cherry Coke Kiss'

PRODUCT INFORMATION

This product contains 2 lip balms with two complementary flavours and taste, each containing 3.7g of product. There are 4 flavour combinations available overall (only 2 are available in Brunei: 02 Milky Soda Smoothie and this one). The product is made in Korea. The price of it in Brunei is BND23.90.

Taken from eBay

I got interested in the product because I saw this review on Youtube, on the Kisstixx, and I got so interested in it LOL. When I saw this, I was immediately curious! The price put me off a bit, but curiosity got the best of me. I got it with a 20% discount, I still don't think it's worth it though, you'll find out why.

Ohay instructions.

I had to debate with my friend which one to get. I wanted the 02 Milky Soda Smoothie but he thought it sounded disgusting, so I had to get the 04 Cherry Coke one. It smelled nicer, that's for sure. If they brought in ALL the flavours, I'd choose 01 Strawberry Smoothie Kiss though!

Cute packaging!!

I don't have a partner to kiss, so this is what I did:

Put one flavour on lower lip, and the other on the upper lip.

What I immediately noticed is that the Cherry one has a nice pink tint. The Cola one is clear, and I kinda get why. I don't think guys would love to have tinted lips! Still, the Cherry having a pink tint...won't it transfer to the guy's lips? LOL.

The Kisstixx video showed the couple just pecking.

Amount of product you get, well from a slanted view.
It's a lot taller.

When I kinda put my lips together, the taste didn't register at first but then it came. It was okay then it got bitter.

I tried them on their own: Cola is the bitter one.

Cherry is very nice and sweet.

My conclusion is that: I'm pretty sure the Kisstixx would be a lot better, and I kinda wasted my money on these. At least for half of it.

---

PROS

- Fun idea if you're a couple or married.

- The Cherry lip balm tastes so nice!

- Packaging is so cute!

- Good amount of product.

CONS

- Cola lip balm is bittersweet. More bitter actually.

- SO PRICY (at least in Brunei)

- I don't know what to do with the Cola lip balm.

- Not so moisturising for the price.

Rating: 3/5 (I can live without the Cola)

Will I buy this again?

Maybe, in another flavour. Online. Or I'd just order the Kisstixx, and get a husband. Paying BND8-9 for one lipbalm is too much!

Do I recommend this?

EHHH. not for the price locally. If you're curious, why not?

Where can you buy this?

You can find it on eBay and locally, but again, they only have two flavour combinations here.

---

Well, to be fair I only tried this on my lips.

Maybe that's not fair?

But seriously, I don't get why it must be bitter! I did try Dr Pepper the other day, and it doesn't taste bitter!

I think I'll use the Cola lip balm when I'm really, really desperate.

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: Etude House Play Color Eyes Palette

Hi guys, today I'm gonna do a quick review on this limited edition palette by Etude House!
I have it in #2 So Chic Play.

Etude House Play Color Eyes #So Chic Play

PRODUCT INFORMATION

This palette has 10 eyeshadow colours. Each pan has 1g of product and they're meant to be used up within 24 months. It is housed in a sturdy plastic packaging and has a mirror. It also contains two double ended foam applicators (which are useful to pack on colour). There is also another variant called the #1 So Hot Play. The palette is made in Korea. It costs about BND26-40 depending on where you buy it.

Ten gorgeous colours to choose from.

I lost the plastic flap that has all the names, so I had to look them up.

1. Coco Brown (Matte)

2. Clutch Brown (Sparkling/Glitter)

3. Pop Champagne (S/G)

4. French Kiss (Matte)

5. Misty Rose (Matte)

6. Diva (Shimmer)

7. Glam Forest (S/G)

8. Midnight Star (S/G)

9. Sparkling Wine (S/G)

10. Leopard Brown (Matte)

Texture of the glitter shades.

I've worn this palette a few times already, I've only ever used the mattes the most.

It's for obvious reasons though, I go for mattes nowadays to go to uni. Plus, these glitters are unforgiving with the fall out. The glitter reminded me of Urban Decay somehow, just from how it looks like.

My favourite half

This is the side I go to the most, but with difficulty.

I love French Kiss and Misty Rose BUT it takes so much effort to have it show up (even then, barely) on my eyelids. With primer, without, it looks almost the same. It lasts long without primer though, if you pack it on. I got this palette because of the pinky shades, it reminded me of Naked 3.

Coco Brown is perfect to darken the outer corners and also line your eyes with but it much more tame for the day look.

As for the glitter shades, I can only apply it nicely with my finger. With a brush is a bit hard, unless you use a sticky base.

I am making a noticeable dent on the two shades that are hard to work with though, for obvious reasons.

I swatched French Kiss three times, the rest are with one finger swipe.

The other half of this palette is a hit and miss.

I neglect two shades a lot.

Wanna guess?

Pretty in the pan

I DO love Diva, I love it on the crease.

Sparkling Wine...I've used twice.

Leopard Brown is a reddish brown, more ideal for smokier looks.

I never use Midnight Star, I think I tried, but it barely showed up. It's the same with Glam Forest.

All are swatched once, with Leopard Brown having some difficulty in transferring.

I think the main problem with this palette for me is the difficulty in having it packed on with a brush. I've tried the foam applicator, a natural hair brush and my finger...but it was really hard to pack on, and I don't have much time for packing it on.

I don't have the patience.

Didn't fall in love with palette, I kinda half regretted it, but at the same time, the shades are quite unique in some ways?

I prefer the Etude singles rather than the palettes I guess.

I would have been happier with the Rose Flowering Eyes Palette, maybe.

Applied with a natural hair brush.

Swatched:

-Leopard Brown

-Clutch Brown

-Midnight Star

I had to swatch it 3-4 times. It's very difficult in trying to build up the colour of the glitter shades.

I'm just not a fan of Midnight Star.

Not a must have I guess, unless you really love Etude House.

---

PROS:

- 10 wearable shades.

- Has a nice balance of mattes and glitter.

- Travel-friendly.

- Lasts well without primer.

- Has a nice mirror.

CONS:

- Not available locally (for now)

- Glitter shades are prone to fallout.

- Very hard to pack on the colours on the lid.

- Kinda pricy depending on where you get it from.

Rating: 3/5 (it's okay, but not the best)

Will I buy this again?

Nope, I don't think it's worth it, especially since I have a lot of other palettes that work better.

Do I recommend this?

I'm not too keen on having you guys get it without swatching it first, it's a miss for me, just because I'm so used to theBalm and Urban Decay and other palettes that work better. Yes, this is more affordable, but if you think about it, your money might be better used for a better palette. I'm not wowed by this at all.

Where can you buy this?

You can get it online quite easily. I don't think Etude House Brunei is bringing this in, I might be wrong.

---

Hope you found this helpful.

I'm quite surprised with some people raving about it but then again, did they buy it themselves? Maybe they haven't tried a lot of brands.

I just don't think it's the best. I think you're better off buying Nude'tude.

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: Rimmel London Stay Matte Longlasting Pressed Powder

Hi guys :)
It's been a while since I wrote another review.

Today, I have for you guys a review for the much loved...
Rimmel London Stay Matte Longlasting Pressed Powder!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Longlasting Pressed Powder

I have this in the shade '001 Transparent'.

The product claims to:

- Have up to 5 hours of natural shine control with natural minerals.

- Help minimise the appearance of pores.

This powder contains 14g of product and is housed in a plastic case with no mirror and no applicator. There are 5 or 6 other shades available, depending on where you get it from. It is made in England and should be used up within 30 months. My mom got this from Superdrug for £3.99. This powder is also dermatologically tested.

Yep. It looks like this now.

INGREDIENTS

TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, POLYETHYLENE, PETROLATUM, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, POLYBUTENE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, METHYLPARABEN, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM/MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE, PROPYLPARABEN, ZINC OXIDE, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, ALOE BARBADENSIS, POLYSORBATE 20, BHT, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, HYDROXYISOHEXYL 3-CYCLOHEXENE CARBOXALDEHYDE, LINALOOL, BUTYLPARABEN. [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007).

I've been using this powder since last year and I have barely made a dent! I've used it with a fluffy brush and also with a sponge to set my makeup, or to use it as a light matte finish over sunscreen and concealer.

Barely made a dent.

Swatched on the finger, it has a light off-white hue to it, but when blended to the hand, it just disappears. The powder itself feels smooth to the touch, and quite soft.

It swatches off-white.

Swatched on the back of my hand, it just blurs out the skin a little, giving it a matte smooth finish, minimising the small fine lines on my hand.

Using it a finishing powder over my oily T-zone, I don't feel like it does prevent my makeup from budging. The shine control does NOT last up to 5 hours. Maybe on me, it lasts 2 to 3 hours, depending on what my base makeup is. It does help set my concealer quite well. It does work well as a blotting powder.

I don't experience it accentuating my dry flaky skin (from dried up acne), or accentuating the pores. It does help minimise my pore quite well when I'm not wearing a base (just sunscreen and moisturiser).


I also feel like the packaging is quite cheap. There are times where I thought I lost the cover. Bringing it around to touch up is also hard because there are no applicators (or a separate compartment for it). I do somehow feel like a mirror would be good.

For the price though, you can't go wrong. It's like you're just paying for the product itself, so that's good.

In some ways, storing this is easy due to the packaging. It IS quite compact.


Unfortunately, it just doesn't really work to control the shine :(

---

PROS:

- Affordable.
- There's a transparent shade, useful for just setting your makeup.
- Helps even out my skin-tone if I'm just using sunscreen.
- Sets concealers well.
- Very lightweight.
- Removes shine.
- Minimises pores and fine lines.
- Does not clog pores.

CONS:

- Not locally available.
- Cheap packaging.
- No mirror.
- No applicator.
- Limited shades (if you want some colour)
- Does NOT control shine for longer than 2 to 3 hours for me.
- Does not prevent my makeup base from smearing.


Rating: 3.5/5 (I enjoy using it, but I wished it was a lot better)

Will I buy this again?

Probably not, because it lasts a long time and it doesn't control my shine well.
I do have a backup though lol.

Do I recommend this?

Maybe for normal skin. I personally don't think it keeps my face matte long enough for me to recommend it.

I do prefer it over my theBalm Sexy Mama though because the texture stays smooth (will be explained when I do the review for this lol)

Where can you find this?

I'm not sure if you can buy this locally but it is available online.


---

Hopefully that was helpful!

Have you tried this? How did it work for you?

Does it help control your oil?


'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: BRILLIANT Love Heart Lip Care 3 Step System

Hi guys :D
WishTrend kindly sent me these products to try out and review :)
It's my first time reviewing a product sent to me, but worry not, I'll be honest with it.

Moving on~

Here are a few questions:

Are your lips severely chapped?
Are they so dry, it bleeds?
Have you ever wondered about ways on how to exfoliate lips in a less painful way?

Maybe this system will interest you!

These are the [BRILLIANT] Love Heart Lip Care 3 Step System Set.
This set costs USD29 on the website.

Brilliant Love Heart Lip Care 3 Step System.

"Are you ready to kiss?"

This is a 3-Step System aimed to exfoliate your lips and make your lips kissable!

1 Step: Dead Cell Remover (10g)

- Low irritation, dead lip cell remover

2 Step: Lip Gel Patch (5 Each)

- 100% essence, moisturising

3 Step: Lip Tint & Essence (10g)

- High moisture, energising lip essence

---

This will be my take on the product.

For a disclaimer, I don't normally have chapped lips because I always use lip balm before I sleep.

During this rainy season though (especially back in December) my lips seem to have problems getting hydrated enough.

When this product arrived though, my lips weren't as severely chapped so...I had to sacrifice them for the sake of testing it out! It wasn't hard though, just on the second day of not using any balm, my lips bled and flaked. I did not exfoliate them at all. To be fair though, I lost my lip balm x.x

(I did not photoshop the lips at all. I photoshopped my skin though because I feel self-conscious LOL. Any blurriness is proof of my lack in photography skill)

My chapped lips (it bled the day before I tried)

Then, I tested it.

The product page actually shows you how to exfoliate your lips with this product if you're curious (complete with pictures)

I followed the instructions exactly but I'll add my take on it.

How to use :

[BRILLIANT] Love Heart Lip Care 3 Step System

1-Step (How to exfoliate lips): After washing face, apply an adequate amount of 1-step on lips and rub it for 1-2 minutes and wipe off with a wet tissue or a wet towel. 

1-Step: Lip Mask

This lip mask is a slightly gritty cream that you are supposed to massage onto your chapped lips. It's thick, but actually quite easy to spread, so you won't have a problem with it. A small amount (like shown in the picture) is enough for your upper and lower lips (unless you have severely chapped ones, this is enough).

How the cream looks like.

I used a wet cotton pad (I used this so I know the product works because I usually exfoliate with a wet towel) to gently wipe it away after 1-3 minutes . It removed most of the flakiness except for the more damaged parts. Definitely looks a lot smoother, however, it could also be the wet pad.

After spreading and rubbing it.

As I was testing it out, I noticed that my lips felt a bit tingly, but didn't make me feel uncomfortable.

After using the lip mask.

For more effectiveness, I would suggest to let it sit for 2-3 more minutes after you rub it, I'm pretty sure this would work a lot better. Unless it started to feel uncomfortable, then follow the suggested way. Since this is meant to gently exfoliate (not abrasive), you need to let the chemicals work.

You can achieve the same effect with a wet towel after you shower, but if your lips are severely chapped, this is a gentle way to exfoliate them.

2-Step: Take the gel patch out and take off the film. Put the gel patch over the lips and leave it for 15-20 minutes. After then, tap your lips so they absorb the extra essence.

2-Step: Lip Gel Patch

To be honest, wasn't looking forward to this because I have seen some other gel lip masks just falling off and not sticking. But this is love! It smells so wonderful (like cherries?) and adheres to skin so well, even when I was wearing foundation!!

With the lip gel patch.

It keeps my lips feeling cool and doesn't get in the way. I can't speak at all because it adheres so well, but it is definitely user friendly. I love the sensation. It is thin, not too thick, so it attaches well to the skin. For 15-20 minutes, I didn't even feel it on my lips while I was doing some work on my laptop.

After 20 minutes of the lip gel patch.

You can see that the it did kind of plump up my lips with moisture, it's not that noticeable in the picture but my lips felt very soft and moisturised. I really liked how it felt.

The gel patch is really not difficult to use, you'll be able to use it easily.

3-Step: Apply adequate amount on lips. 3-4 minutes later, colour of lips will be pink.

3-Step: Lip Essence

The last step is basically applying lip balm. The difference is that it also tints your lips to make it look healthier without being overtly pink. It is to smooth and moist the lips.

How the essence looks like.

I applied it like how I would normally with lip balms, just smoothing it over my lips.

It is a light pink essence that feels watery to the touch once it's on the lips. Feels a bit vaseline-y but definitely not the same A little goes a long way. It smells nice, just like the lip gel patch. Gives a nice tint and smoothes the lips. 

After applying essence.

Unfortunately you can feel that it's on your lips. Not the most moisturising lip product ever but it's to heal the lips.

The essence gives my lips a very natural tint, also smoothing them out.

Not really fond of the feel but it does moisturise.

---

The selling point of this 3 step system is how it would help people with very sensitive lips.

Because its purpose is to heal damaged lips in a gentle way, it is thought out quite well.

The scent added to the products aren't very strong either and it smells really good. 

Reminds me of another product's scent.

Like raspberries/strawberries/cherries.

I personally think this is a good product, especially for those with severely chapped lips. 

I do feel like the gel patch should be sold separately because the amount of product you get for the other two would last more than 5 gel patches!

Unfortunately, I found out that the patches on their own ARE kinda pricy.

Here's a breakdown of the product prices when not in a set:

1-Step (Dead Cell Remover): USD13.50

2-Step (Lip Gel Patch): USD15

3-Step (Lip Tint & Essence): USD13.50

It's USD15!!

I would rather buy another set I think.

You save USD13 by buying the set.

But you see, you can always use the lip gel patch sparingly, just when your lips are chapped enough that you're bleeding. I think 1-Step and 3-Step is enough for daily use (well, every three days maybe).

If you just want to try out one product, I'd recommend getting the Lip Gel Patch, definitely.
The Dead Cell Remover is also good, if you have extremely sensitive lips, try it out.

You can skip the Lip Tint & Essence I believe.

It's definitely a product worth trying out, especially if you've run out of ways to hydrate your lips.

The product is...

I rate it 4/5!

I'd love to try this product out on my friend who has chapped lips all the time and see if it works on him. If it does, I'll report back!

If you wanna know more about Wishtrend, you can visit these links:

Shop For More Beauty. 

Wishtrend Global FaceBook Fan Page 

Wishtrend TV

Do you have problems with chapped lips?

Are you interested in trying the product out?

Tell me in the comments below :D

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: MUA Undress Me Too Palette

Hi guys :D
It's time for another review!

This time, it's going to be about the MUA Undress Me Too Palette!

MUA Undress Me Too

I received this palette as a giveaway prize from Ka Sheila and I was really stoked. I used to have the Undressed Palette too, but I decided to sell it to my friend because I figured that I wouldn't use it. I originally wanted that one because I didn't want to buy the Naked palette.

Anyway, talking about this palette...I know I have the Naked 2, but I still didn't want to use that. When I won this, I decided to use this instead lol.

If you want an in-depth review, with product and price breakdowns, feel free to read them on my other review of the MUA Heaven and Earth Palette.

Back of palette.

What changed compared to the Heaven and Earth is the inclusion of shade names. This was in the Undressed Palette too, although with no individual names (just shade 1, shade 2, etc.) They also include a mini master class which can be helpful for beginners. Also, obviously, it's white.

I'm a bit pissed because even with editing, somehow the colours are greyer.
Just imagine the first pic blended with this? lol

Anyway, I'm sort of indifferent to the mattes in this palette. I really prefer the shimmer shades. The two mattes on the first row are okay, mostly for blending. It feels smooth, not at all harsh or hard BUT Corrupt is another story. It's a bit patchy and it feels so rough. Kinda like sandpaper o.o !

Thankfully it doesn't feel like that when used on the eyes.

Standout shades for me are Devotion, Fiery and Exposed. I like Obsessed but it applies lighter than how it looks in the pan. 

Here are the swatches. All shimmer shades are swatched once, the mattes are swatched 2-3 times.

Swatches of the top row.
L: Without Flash
R: With Flash

Corrupt really reminds me of Sleek's Au Naturel's 'Noir'. The texture is the same, but Corrupt is a lot darker.

Swatches of the bottom row.

Honestly I think I prefer my Heaven and Earth, but I do like using this palette.

I use it a lot more recently, and I like to use Devotion or Fiery, and darken the outer-v with Obsessed.

These shadows were also easy to blend, can be used easily with a sponge-tip applicator and non-synthetic brushes. They apply without primer quite vibrantly, however, it fades in 2 hours and creases a bit. So definitely wear a primer with it!

How does it compared to Naked 2?

I don't know.

Not yet.

I'm tempted to take out my Naked 2, still tempted, but haven't done it.

Overall, I think it's a good palette.

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PROS:

- Affordable.

- The shades are wearable and pigmented.

- Compliments most skintones.

- A good neutral palette.

- Applies vibrantly without primer, should work well on dry eyelids.

- Travel-friendly.

CONS:

- Not easily available locally.

- No mirror (for me it's not a problem, but for some people it is)

- Packaging is kinda cheap.

- The matte shades are so sheer and the matte black is like sandpaper.

- Fades easily and prone to creasing on oily lids.

Rating: 4/5 (slightly lower compared to the other palette)

Will I buy this again? 

No, just because I have Naked 2.

Do I recommend this?

It's okay to have in your collection, but if you already have the Urban Decay one, maybe you shouldn't buy this. I think it's quite travel-friendly though and I do like it for that. There is a new dupe from Coastal Scents that you might just like though! It's called the Revealed Palette.

Where can you buy this?

You can buy palettes like these at MUA's website.

They ship internationally.

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Hope you found this helpful!

I'm trying my best to show good swatches, I hope it looks okay.

'til then take care!

-Nisah-

Review: SkinFood Tomato Sun Cream SPF 36 PA++

Hi guys!
Have you checked out my latest Miri Haul? You can check it out here.

Anyway, today I have a review for you!
This is a review of SkinFood's Tomato Sun Cream with SPF 36 PA++.

Tomato Sun Cream SPF 36 PA++

PRODUCT INFORMATION

A sunscreen cream containing tomato extract rich in lycopene and various organic acids to protect skin from UV rays. It simultaneously blocks both UVA and UVB rays that cause premature aging of skin. * Use: 15-20 minutes before going outside, apply to exposed areas such as face, neck, arms and legs, avoiding eye areas. If outside for extended period of time, reapply as needed.

This sunscreen contains 50ml of product and comes in a convenient squeeze tube. It it made in Korea. There is another variant for this that has an added wrinkle care. You can buy this at SkinFood, I got mine at Miri. The price is RM39.50, I'm not sure about the price in Brunei.

The back of the sunscreen.
Unfortunately the ingredients are in Korean.

*LOST HALF OF THIS FUCKING BLOGPOST BECAUSE SOMEBODY JUST HAD TO RESET THE NET WITHOUT CONSULTING ME. MIGRAINE RIGHT NOW*

Let's try this again.

I've been using this since last year, on and off, since I got it. Recently though, I've started incorporating it into my makeup routine (especially when I don't need much coverage) with some concealer and translucent or tinted powder.

When I bought this initially, it was mainly to prevent my acne scars from darkening. I wasn't very dedicated to that because it really felt weird. But nowadays, I learn to appreciate this sunscreen more because it is not sticky at all!

As with most sunscreen, it is white, with a slight bluish tint.

It has a typical sunscreen scent with a hint of tomato, and to me, it's not really something offensive. Once blended well, it just leaves a slight white cast (more noticeable on the face than on the hand) and it moisturises a little (so don't make the mistake like me and mixing it with a non-SPF BB cream x.x) so that's kinda good. It leaves your skin soft.

After blending it out.

It also doesn't break me out, which is a huge plus! I'm not really brave enough to try other sunscreens in the mean time, so if I run out of this, I might get the same one! Unless you guys have suggestions on some products.

The price isn't something that motivates me to buy it I guess, if it's not on sale or something. For a sunscreen, I guess it's a bit pricy. 

Overall though, it's a good product.

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PROS:

-Locally available.

-Blends in easily and leaves a soft feeling.

-Smells pleasant.

-A little goes a long way and there's a lot of product.

-Convenient packaging.

-Does not clog pores.

-Does not break me out.

CONS:

-Can leave your skin very oily (but I guess that's normal?)

-Pricy.

-Not waterproof.

-Ingredients are in Korean.

-Might not mix with a foundation or a BB cream well.

Rating: 3.5/5 (I love it but it can be replaced, maybe)

Will I buy this again?

Maybe. I do like it enough to repurchase it, but I can easily try something cheaper.

Do I recommend this?

Yes, if you wanna try it out.

Where can you find this?

Locally at SkinFood stores.

You can also find it online I think.

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Hopefully you found this helpful.

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: Sephora Pro Lesson Palette: Smoky Eyes

Hi guys :D
I'm here with a review for a palette (FINALLY) and it's the:
Sephora Pro Lesson Palette: Smoky Eyes!

Sephora Pro Lesson Palette in Smoky Eyes

If you've read my latest blogposts, I mentioned receiving palettes from my sister. Well, hers.

This was one of them but I returned it.

Reason being that it was a gift from her husband and I don't think it's good that I should keep it!

I did get to try it out and test it though.

Anyway, moving on~

Simple and Sleek.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

What it is: A makeup palette and illustrated lesson to help you create two looks: a brown smoky eye and a black smoky eye.

What it does: Pro Lesson Palettes are the easiest way to learn new makeup effects. You'll get illustrated instructions for two looks. Easy to follow without flipping between pages or looking for cards, the instructions are printed directly on the palette. Once you learn a new technique, the six included eye shadows create endless options. 

What else you need to know: Each eye shadow is made with a high-payoff and blendable formula. The eye pencil is highly pigmented and designed to avoid tugging. Colour products are stored in a high-quality compact that features a magnetic closure. Size: 5 x 5"

This palette contains 6 eyeshadows that are 1.67g each and also a 0.62g eyeliner. There are no brushes nor sponge-tip applicators. It has a big mirror and 2 step-by-step instructions on how to achieve a brown smoky eye and also a basic black one. Three other palettes from the Pro Lesson Palette collection also exist (Green Eyes, Blue Eyes and Brown Eyes) and it's from the Fall 2011 collection (yikes!). The product is made in China.

I'm not sure about the price, sorry.

The back of the palette (click on the photo to zoom in)

Anyway, I think my brother-in-law got this this year or late last year from Sephora Singapore or Malaysia. The palette's still good though!

It says to use up in 6 months ( '-' ) I thought eyeshadows can last up to two years? Hm.


The palette itself has a weight to it, nothing TOO heavy, but it's not travel-friendly either. It could work as a travelling palette but there's just so much wasted space due to the concept, bulking it up more than it should.

Inside of the palette (with an invisible black eyeliner lol)

The instructions are printed directly onto the palette. Sure, maybe it's better than a separate booklet that you can lose, but with that concept, look at how much space is wasted. This palette could have been far more compact than it is, don't you think?

As for the pigmentation, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't really expect highly of it (oopsies) but I really loved how it goes on the eyes. 

The swatches are swatched once on bare skin, no primer.

From the Top:

- Midnight Black Eyeliner
- Ivory
- Catherine
- Must Have
- Californian Blonde
- Marie
- Dark Brown

It's pigmented on its own, coupled with a base, it'd be even better. I was really impressed by the two mattes in this palette (Dark Brown and Must Have), it's so pigmented (although my swatch of Dark Brown is a bit clumsy) but they are quite prone to fallout. The same goes for Californian Blonde, with its shimmers.

These are wonderful eyeshadows! They are quite buttery and blends easily. Coupled with a good primer, these are awesome!

As for the eyeliner, it's quite a smudgy one (due to it being a Smoky Palette), so you can use it as a base to intensify the colours a bit more. Once it sets, it'll stay on quite well, but it's not waterproof.

There's just one complaint: The instructions don't really work.

My sister tried doing the smokey eye look on me using it and I just looked like someone had punched me! I don't normally follow instructions myself, because only you know your eyes and everyone has different eye shapes!

You cannot get the intense black as shown in the instructions. 

They didn't even include the black liner in them!

Kinda disappointing.

But if you just use it as you would everyday, it is a good palette.

My favourite shade in this is Marie. It's just a gorgeous taupe brown colour.


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PROS:

- Eyeshadows are pigmented and buttery.
- There are instructions for beginners.
- It has a big mirror.
- Has a good black eyeliner with the palette.
- Has wearable shades for everyday.
- Shades easily transition from day to night.


CONS:

- Not available locally.
- The instructions don't correspond with the pictures.
- Waste of packaging when it could have been a compact palette.
- No applicators (some may like this because not everyone likes them)
- Fallouts, especially with the matte shades.


Rating: 4/5 (Love the eyeshadows!)

Will I buy this again?

After trying this out, I'm open to buying Sephora eyeshadow in the future :D not particularly this palette.

Do I recommend this?

If you can still find this I guess! Although the colours aren't that unique.


Where can you find this?

It's still available on Amazon :)
But it's sold out on Sephora's website (discontinued I guess).
Maybe you can still find it at locally available Sephoras.


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This definitely showed me the quality of Sephora eyeshadows, definitely.
It's not particularly helpful now, I believe, but look at that pigmentation!

The matte colours are gorgeous.

I hope you found it interesting!

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-