Favourite Makeup Pros and Cons

You've probably noticed from all the different blog entries I've done, that there are several makeup products I use over and over again.  I do indeed have my favourites but just like anything in this world, nothing is perfect...well...almost nothing.  Some things do come close to perfect but even those have their pros and cons.  Here's a list of my absolute favourites and the good and bad about each one. 

K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner

Pros:  Provides great control when doing fine lines and great control overall.  Lasts all day long and has a perfect, jet black liquid liner look.

Cons:  Not as waterproof as the name indicates it should be.  When it comes in contact with rain, tears or any type of water, it doesn't just smudge...it runs!!!!


MAC Duo Fibre Brush

Pros:  Spreads my foundation evenly whether it's liquid or powder.  Helps to achieve a beautiful, natural finish with great coverage.

Cons:  I do take care of my brushes but this one seems to shed easily.  In fact, there's always a hair or two left on my face after using this brush. 


Missha Perfect M BB Cream

Pros:  It has a wonderful texture and gives great coverage with a very natural finish that lasts all day.

Cons: Not dark enough when I've been out in the sun and I'm more tanned than usual.


Majorlica Majorca Glam Lash Mascara and Maybeline Volume Express Cat Eyes

Pros:  Both create thick, clumpless lashes that lasts all day.  They are extremely waterproof, don't smudge and are the mascara I like to use when I'm at the beach.

Cons:  Incredibly difficult to remove even with the best eye makeup removers.


MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus 

Pros:  Works great when layering with other liquid foundations for maximum staying power.  It's also really easy to apply.

Cons:  On its own, it doesn't last all day on my oily skin. 


MAC Paintpot

Pros:  It's a great cream shadow that lasts all day.  It works great as a base under powder eyeshadow and makes it last even longer. 

Cons:  The product gets dry after some time and becomes a little hard to extract from the container. 


And finally here's the one product I have absolutely ZERO complaints about!!!

MAC Powder Eyeshadow

This is my ultimate favourite and what I think many people would agree, the best quality eyeshadow!!!!  Even on oily lids it doesn't get into your creases.  It lasts all day long and has great build-able colour intensity.

If there's a product you use that you have absolutely no complaints about, let me know what it is!!!  I'm always interested in trying out makeup products that have great reviews.  

BB Creams!!!

Over the last month and a half, I've been writing about different makeup looks and products and I realize I've mentioned and shown you photos of the BB cream I use as a foundation substitute but I've never really explained or talked about BB creams in much detail.  Some of you may be wondering what a BB cream is, so here's a little product knowledge for you.  

You have probably seen ads for BB creams in magazines, television and on posters wherever you live.  In North America and Europe it has just recently gained popularity but in Asia it has been a big hit for quite some time.

BB cream was developed by Korean plastic surgeons to help treat post laser surgery patients while concealing their healing scars.  I've recently read that the original formula was actually created in Germany.  Anyway, no matter where it was produced originally, the results were amazing and mild enough on the skin, it eventually made it to the commercial market by way of various cosmetic companies in Korea.

Having many benefits in one product, it promises to even out skin tone (whiten), provide SPF coverage, moisturize, prevent and treat aging skin and wrinkles and provide the same coverage as a medium to full coverage foundation without feeling heavy.

Many western companies are starting to join the trend and produce their own BB cream.  You'll find BB creams from MAC, Garnier, Clinique, Chanel etc.  However, a very wide range of Korean cosmetics companies are also still producing BB creams too.  Now, I don't know about you, but I prefer to buy products from companies that produced them and caused the hype rather than companies that decided to hop on the band wagon to take advantage of the trend and make some money.

BB creams are great but do your research if you have oily or sensitive skin.  Some brands have been known to cause breakouts on those with sensitive skin and some have been known to be oilier and may not be suitable for consumers with oily skin.

BB creams are also usually produced in lighter shades and don't come in a variety of colours like foundation does.  They are much more suitable for pale skinned girls.  Think Japanese/Korean celebrities who have been setting the pale skin trend in Asia.  However, lucky for you bronzed beauties out there I've discovered from reading other blogs that Missha, a Korean company, actually produces BB cream for tanned skin people.  It's part of their Perfect M line in number 31 (you can purchase it online if Missha isn't available in your country).  If you still find the shade a little light, mix it with a darker foundation like I do.

I really do recommend BB creams because it is so much better for your skin overall.  I love the coverage and the finish.  Sometimes, if I am too lazy to remove my makeup before going to bed, I don't feel so guilty if I'm wearing BB cream.  It's like a tinted moisturizer but with more benefits and more coverage. 

Getting the Right Shade!!!!

Just a quick one to let you know that if you have difficulty finding the right colour foundation, go from tanned to fair during the different seasons or totally love the coverage a BB Cream gives you but are a little bit too dark for the range, you can always mix two colours or two products. 

I like to mix my Missha Perfect M BB Cream in 31 with MAC Studio Fix Fluid in 45.  I find that being in London I've become very pale (yes I'm still tanned but paler than what I'm used to) and the BB Cream sort of blends in with my natural skin tone.  So I end up with a face fairer than what I like.  By mixing a darker foundation with the BB Cream, I get a great BB Cream finish in a shade that suits me better!!!!

Clean and Professional

This a a look I do fairly often.  It's just a very neutral and clean look that is perfect for work or what I call "my interview makeup".  It's fairly quick and easy and I do this look on days when I'm just going out and about and I want to look refreshed but not too done up.

Important tips: 

1) Use very neutral beige and browns for this look.  Again, the darkest colour on the outside and lightest on the insides and blend, blend, blend!!!!

2) To make sure your eyeshadow lasts all day, layer it.  I use a prep and prime cream, a cream eyeshadow and then my eyeshadow.  

 3) There is also no need to use false eyelashes for this look.  I personally feel it's uncomfortable to wear every day and it can give you an overly done up look.  If you really want to, then use falsies that come in little individual pieces and just put them on the outer corners of your eyes.  Or, you can just cut the ends of a full set and do the same thing.

Here's a closer look at the eye makeup!!!

What I used:

FACE: Amazing Cosmetics concealer in medium beige, Missha Perfect M BB Cream in 31, MAC Studio Fix Fluid in 45, Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up, MAC contour powder in Shadester

EYES: MAC prep and prime eyes in medium, MAC paintpot in Bare Study, MAC eyeshadows in Soba, Mulch and Nylon, K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner 24 hr in black, Rimmel Max Volume Flash mascara in black, Dior Show pencil eyeliner in black, 17 eyebrow pencil in natural brown

CHEEKS: Clinique blush and bronze duo in Iced Lotus and Sunkissed

LIPS: Dior Addict lip gloss in 257