Makeup For PAC 'Kuriose' & BJFA Haunted House (Thoughts and Regrets)

Well, some of it anyway.

For the PAC show, I did makeup on my cousin, her co-host Insan and King Arthur (and quite crappily on Vanessa -I'm so sorry ughhh-) I honestly thought I'd do the makeup of the hosts only, actually, just my cousin LOL. That's what I was meant to do. To do some other people on the side made me a bit frustrated because I didn't have all the things I'd need.

I don't think I have any close-ups of my cousin on the day itself that's clear enough, so this should suffice.

Since it was meant to be stage makeup, I made sure the blush is as bright and pigmented as possible (honestly, it wasn't pigmented, I just layered it like hell). The test makeup I did for the full-dress rehearsal used a hot pink, but my sister thought it was too weird, so on the day itself, I used an apple red. The eyeshadow on the full-dress rehearsal was a bit rough, so I made sure to blend better on the day itself.

If you noticed it, there's a missing spot on the brows LOL
I used only brow powder xD
This pic is a bit washed out.
Full-dress rehearsal pic.

My cousin is allergic to SPF so I made sure none of the products contained SPF. She used her own BB Cream from TheFaceShop because it lasts and she's not allergic to it. I think I also used the Tony Moly Pot Concealer in shade 01.

She also did her own eyelashes with my Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' mascara.
She likes the mascara. Hah.

I wanted to add falsies, but I was questioning it too. She has hooded eyelids and well, I don't. So I didn't want to risk it either. Allergies and stuff, y'know.

*Pics are taken by...someone tell me!*

It shows up on stage, yes!

Actually, I was told to make the eye makeup a bit higher up, so on the day itself, I was like "Screw this, let's make it touch your brows!" and so it did.

For the brows, I used the Zoeva 322 Brow Line and the Makeup Academy Brow Kit.

Guys, if you're getting ONE brush, get this brush.

It's AMAZING. Well, for applying it on another person anyway. I haven't tried it for myself xD

There's just so much precision with it.

All about the eyes. 

I made sure to blend it better on the real day lol

For the base, I used the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'Inked in Pink'

Then I layered the two pinks from the Sleek Ultra Mattes V1, then I used the 42 Stack Shimmer Palette and patted shimmery purples and pinks.

I didn't put eyeliner because she felt like it didn't need eyeliner.

Kinda agreed.

Or maybe I did, I don't remember anymore.

I'm not sure if it's the makeup or she just looks evil.

For the lips, she used a Tony Moly Lip Stain that was blood red, then I added some gradient on the sides with Sleek True Colour Matte Lipstick in 'Cranberry'.

I then sprayed Urban Decay's 'de-slick Makeup Setting Spray'.

I dunno if it did anything tbh LOL

Oh yeah, she was also using my wig xD it was a tangled mess BUT LOOK, it looks so good on stage xD

It's this wig!
Ignore the crappily PS-ed brows, I didn't have my burgundy liner back then.

In comparison, the makeup I did on Insan and Arthur was....ugh, not that good.

I did it roughly, because I thought I'd have time to touch up more. Considering the things I had to work with (or lack of), as a base it was okay ;-;

I had to have someone help me touch up though, make it darker.

Thank you guys!

And Vanessa's...I feel like I've tortured your eyes T-T

So basically, yeah, I need to build my kit better.

---

As for the BJFA Haunted House, I did my own makeup and just helped with the SFX application for Umi.

We didn't have a lot of time, I came late. I'm sorry uguuu.

As you can see from the photos, it did not blend as well as I wanted it to.

Because this one doesn't dry, and we didn't have any liquid or cream white makeup, I couldn't blend it with white. That annoyed me a bit ;-;

This was the second batch, the drier batch, and you can see how dry it is, and how thick.

*Pics are taken by Ninja (?!)*

Before blending.

Thankfully Umi had some coconut oil (I think it was coconut), so I could blend it a bit to the skin.

She did her own base, and Lynn (I think that's the spelling) helped with the eyeliner and blood application.

Umi was applying the essence All Matt Powder.

 Yeah, I wish I had some liquid/cream white.

Before blood and eyeliner.

I wanted to do more blood but she's a minimalist xD

After blood and eyeliner.

However, we did end up making it more bruised and bloody half way through the scaring session (because the scar wax dried up -because it was already dried as hell-)

It was cracking.
Y'know, Ju-On has her mouth open most of the time lol
*Pic by Umi*

If you cover the sides of the mouth with your finger, it does look good.

I didn't want to put it too close to the mouth, because I did when I did my makeup the other day...and I had the fake blood too close to my mouth.

UGHH.

It was horrible.

Anyway, for the second day, I was supposed to be a scary doll.

Not scary, more like creepy.

I wasn't feeling it.

Makeup test.
Somehow, the one with thick eyeliner makes it more doll-like.

I was trying to follow the traditional Japanese doll.

But yeah, but my eyes don't fit it lol

Ugh, my dry lips.

MY DRY LIPS.

Can I cry? lol

I should have done both sides I guess, but there was a time limit and I really wanted to scare people.

This was the day I bruised my knee from the jump scares.

Haha.

My poor yukata as well.

That's dedication, y'know.

Thankfully I didn't damage it.

---

So, here are my thoughts and regrets:

- If only I had a complete kit and was told in advanced about doing makeup on extra people, I'd be more satisfied with my work. I guess I should have known better. But yeah, lesson learned.

- I CAN do makeup faster, I'm just slow lol. Or I want it to be perfect, at least on my cousin.

(Pretty sure I'm a closet perfectionist that works last minute. I expect last minute perfection, can that be done?)

- I NEED assistance, even Pro-MUAs have some assistance in doing other things at the same time, to make it faster. So thank you guys, who were willing to help and half-do their own makeup.

- I know I could do better. Pretty sure I can do better.

- I don't multi-task apparently. Not very well, anyway.

- I do not work well when I'm hormonal. I nearly punched some people lol. Or had thoughts to do so.

- I need to label my products (especially during Kuriose, where everyone wanted to borrow stuff - I had to borrow black eyeshadow as well)

---

But yeah, that's about it.

I guess.

Haha..I wanna buy proper SFX stuff ;-;

'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Package from Luxola Arrived :D + Mini Rant

So, my order arrived.
Last time I ordered from Luxola, I had to wait around 10-14 days and I had to pick up the parcel myself from the post office.

This time though, it arrived fast and it was delivered to my house (I ordered on the 26th, arrived on the 1st)
I didn't receive it myself though, my maid accepted it.

So, the items arrived safe and sound. However...something bugged me.

My package was opened and stapled back together.
I've heard of this thing happening but at least notify us that it's opened for security reasons or what. Like, how would I know if a sample is missing or something since it's not listed :T

The invoice was checked (it's outside the package) and I'm like "Well, why can't you just x-ray the stuff".

I just feel a tiny bit "violated".
What if I ordered lingerie y'know. I'd want it delivered home because it's a personal thing.

Not that I've ordered any LOL.

The least they could have done was have a notice: "Opened for inspection", or something.


( '-' ) I think I'll have to look it up how it's handled.

ANYWAY:

Just took the pic from my Instagram lol

Here's what I ordered :D
A Real Techniques Blush Brush, the Sleek i-Divine Ultra Mattes Brights Palette and a K-Palette Zero Kuma Cover Control Concealer in 01 Natural Beige with Moisturizing Effects (THAT IS A MOUTHFUL).

Everything arrived safe, there are no swatch marks on the palette (Thank God!) and nothing was broken. Yay!

I had a 30% off code so I used it.
But dammit, the day AFTER I ordered, a 40% coupon was available.

I was pissed LOL.

But then again, I didn't really want to order something else.

Just a bit angry that it's a day after lol.


I was also sent a Sigma brochure to stare and drool at and a sample packet that....was opened. Or exploded. Err.

But other than that, I'm really happy with my order!


If you guys are interested in ordering from Luxola, here's my invite link :3
I would get points and once I accumulate a certain number, I'll get a certain amount off of an order but I won't get money :)

Join Luxola

No pressure, you guys can always just Google the site!

Luxola carries a lot of brands, and they're just adding more as we speak.


If you guys have any knowledge on how home delivery works in Brunei, do share!
'til then, take care!

-Nisah-

Review: Sleek iDivine Au Naturel Palette

This is going to be a review of Sleek's iDivine Au Naturel Palette.
I've had this for a while, my cousin who's studying in the UK bought it for me. I think it was last year. I really forgot when. It could be 2011 or 2012.

Comparing mine to the new ones on Luxola and also the main website here, I'm guessing mine is the old packaging, first generation one lol. My cousin already warned me that the mattes in this particular palette aren't that pigmented, but back then neutrals are the only ones I really bothered with using!

Looking it up also, I think the crisscrossing pattern on the eyeshadows are smaller and are almost invisible on the mattes! A simple act of Googling them would show you two different kinds of Au Naturel Palettes.

Moving on~

Description (For the new generation):

The Au Naturel i-Divine provides an array of matte and pearlescent eye shadows that you can use to create a subtle yet contoured effect for day, or build it up for a smoky glamorous evening effect using velvety browns and shimmering fawns. These shades are highly-pigmented and have a velvety consistency that gives full coverage on the eyes with serious staying power. Modern slim packaging make it easy to carry a full range of shadows conveniently and the full size mirror on the lid allows you to get gorgeous eyes on the go.

I don't know about the old ones, but I have to say, other than Nougat (which looks really white), the others look quite similar.

The back of the palette.

I tried to take a photo of the front but it was just too dirty. You could see the handprints and stuff even when I tried to clean it. Plus, you can't really see anything.

Here's the inside of the palette:

Names of the eyeshadow shades.

Sorry about the dirty sponge-tip applicator. Contrary to popular belief, for this one, the applicator is quite nice. Really. I use it to pat on the shimmery shades. However, I think I'll ditch it after this photo.

Texture of the eyeshadows on the pan.

The size of this palette, is the EXACT same like the Makeup Academy (MUA) palettes. Call me blond but it didn't occur to me until I put it in comparison LOL.

Don't believe me?

Take a look:

Top: Sleek iDivine Au Naturel Palette
Bottom: MUA Heaven and Earth Palette

You get virtually the same amount of product, in a slightly more classy looking palette WITH a mirror, for about £4 more! It didn't occur to me at all.

Heaven and Earth is also all shimmer and Au Naturel has 8 mattes and 4 shimmers. So basically, if you're a fan of mattes, by all means, go with Au Naturel. If you prefer shimmers, I'd say save yourself £4 and go with H&E. My review of this palette can be found here.

Au Naturel Palette taken with flash.

There's a catch though. I personally think that Au Naturel lasts a lot longer on the eyes without primer than H&E. I've tried Au Naturel without primer and it didn't crease. Although, if you want vibrancy, especially on the mattes, DO wear primer.

For the matte shades, I suggest a sheer finish primer like UD Primer Potion in Original or even e.l.f's Eyelid Primer (there are many similar ones, MUA has one too!). You can also use a skintone base, like MAC's Paint Pot in Soft Ochre or essence's I ♥ Stage Eyeshadow Base. With these, especially the skintone coloured ones, the lighter matte shades will pop more.

My favourite shades to use on Au Naturel are: Nougat, Honeycomb, Toast and Taupe.

I rarely use the shades on the bottom row until quite recently.

Here are the swatches:

On plain white paper.

While I was swatching these, the textures really got to me.

All the eyeshadows were buttery soft except one.

Noir.

It was dry as hell!

I was really surprised because I always used a brush to use these shadows nowadays.

The swatches down here are with one swipe of the finger, with no eyeshadow base.

Nougat, Nubuck, Cappuccino, Honeycomb, Toast, Taupe

Conker, Moss, Bark, Mineral Earth, Regal, Noir

As you can see, you can barely see some of the colours on my skintone. I didn't swatch these with a primer, obviously, so you can see how pigmented they are (or not). Just by looking at it, I'm sure you know that the shimmers are obviously MORE pigmented.

The bottom row obviously wins if you were to compare the two.

But I can vouch for the top row that as all over lid colour, with a nice primer, they work pretty well. Nougat and Honeycomb work well as highlighters.

PROS:

- Beautiful neutral shades for everyday or even smokey eyes.

- The shimmery shades are all pigmented and soft.

- Doesn't crease on me without a primer.

- Has 8 matte shades for those who love mattes.

- Packaging is sturdy and posh.

- Has a large mirror.

- Compliments most skintones.

- A good beginner's palette.

CONS:

- You can get a cheaper alternative for the 4 shimmery shades with MUA.

- The matte shades don't really show up.

- Matte shades can easily disappear if you blend too much.

- Needs an eyeshadow base for some of the colours to be able to show up.

- A bit pricey.

- Not that easily available.

- There are other better alternatives (slightly more expensive).

Rating: 3.5/5 (The matte shades are a downer despite having beautiful colours)

Will I buy this again?

No, simply because I'm not all that impressed and I don't go through the eyeshadows that fast. I have other palettes.

Do I recommend this?

I wanna say...no. But if you don't mind working with the mattes, be my guest. DO remember that this is a review of the first generation palette. I'm pretty sure the new ones you can get have better pay-off. Just make sure you get the new one!

---

Where can you buy this?

You can get this palette on Luxola, here. 

It's priced at S$20 normally, but you can get 15% on orders above S$25.

Apparently they have a pretty nifty bundle that includes Au Naturel AND the more lauded Storm Palette for S$37, here.

There's one more bundle that includes this palette, Storm and also the V1 Palette, here for S$54.

You save 6 bucks plus 15% discount too. 

And you can get free shipping to Brunei on orders above S$40.

I'm not so sure if the official site does international shipping.

---

So, basically, those are my thoughts on this palette.

Again, do remember that I have the first generation palette.

Yeah?

Okay then!

Take care!

-Nisah-

P.S: It's been brought to my attention that the one I have is the new packaging. Then Sleek fails because it seems like the old one was far more pigmented. Damn.