Review: [Butter London] Lippy Moisture Matte Lipsticks in Macbeth, Mush, Abby Rose and Blowing Raspberries

Today post is about some of those matte lip products that feel very comfortable and don't dry out your lips: Lippy Moisture Matte Lipsticks from Butter London, retailed for $22 at Ulta. I have 4 shades: Mush, Abby Rose, Blowing Raspberries, and Macbeth, ; among them, Mush is my top favorite and Abby Rose is in the second place.

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

Pros:

- Slick and sturdy packaging. The boxes are supper cute but I don't really need them so I have to throw them away.
- Very pigmented, one swipe and your natural lip color will be covered!
- Vibrant colors, not dull.
- Pretty moisturizing, although not as creamy as those Maybelline matte lipsticks
- Long lasting
- Feels very lightweight on lips

Cons: None

Other characteristic:
- It leaves a pinkish stain no matter what color the lipstick is so you might or might not like that.

Lip Swatches:

Mush

I describe this color as a peachy nude, but it is more peach/coral than brown.

Abby Rose

A neutral pink, not too warm nor too cool. (The light makes it look cooler than it actually is.)

Blowing Raspberries

Bright raspberry pink

Macbeth

Reddish raspberry (It looks more red in real life)

Review: [Coola] SPF 30 Organic Matte Makeup Setting Spray

Before starting the review I want to apologize for not having a photo for the actual product. That is because I returned it after a week. My work schedule has changed so I now leave around 4 PM when I still need sun protection. I didn't want to mess up my makeup reapplying sunscreen so I wanted a facial sunscreen in a spray bottle and the only thing I found at that time is this Coola setting spray. I won't rate this product because I didn't use it as a makeup setting spray which it's supposed to be. I've seen many people like to use it as a touch-up sunscreen and that's the reason for this review. Sadly, it didn't work well for me as touch-up sunscreen.

Pros:

- Convenient
- Eye-catching packaging
- Provides enough sun protection

Cons:

- Stings my eyes badly
- Has a very strong alcohol smell
- The biggest con that made me return it: it makes my foundation feels thick and gross, although the finish isn't changed.

I was so sad because I thought this setting spray was my only hope. Fortunately, I found the perfect product for my needs: Skin Food Premium Tomato Cool & Dry Sun Spray SPF 50+. The review for this product will be in a different post so don't forget to subscribe if you interested.

Review: [3 Concept Eyes] Pore Velvet Primer and [Skin Food] Fresh Apple Smooth Pore Cream

I know that I owe you a review of these 3CE Pore Velvet Primer and Skin Food Fresh Apple Pore Cream for a long time so here it is!

3 Concept Eyes Pore Velvet Primer

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

Pros:

- Matifying
- Covers pore well thanks to the thick consistency
- Prolongs makeup
- Creates a smooth canvas for foundation

Cons:

- Not very sanitary because of jar packaging. I have to wipe the surface with alcohol often.
- Thick and hard to blend
- Hard to find. You will have to buy it from 3CE website or Amazon with $20 international shipping, unless you make a $100-worth purchase (for $10 shipping) or $200-worth purchase (for free shipping) on 3CE website.

Skin Food Fresh Apple Smooth Pore Cream

Rating kisses: 

Pros:

- Matifying

- Covers pore well

- Makes skin looks smooth

Cons:

- Doesn't prolong makeup

- Feels heavy on skin

Other characteristics:

- Fresh scent

- Thick and creamy. To me this feels more like a heavy mattifying moisturizer than a primer.

Review: [Japonesque] Velvet Touch Primer

Japonesque Color is the makeup line of Japonesque, a makeup tool brand. Their products are made in Italy. If you don't know, their Velvet Touch Finishing Powder is my "holy grail" powder and I haven't found anything better. The product I want to review today is another one from the brand that I like: the Velvet Touch Primer.

Japonesque Velvet Touch primer is not as thick and more moisturizing than Monistat powder-gel.

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

Pros:

- Luxurious packaging with a glass bottle
- You get more for your $32; the amount is almost as much as a liquid foundation.
- Very smooth and helps foundation blended on skin super easily
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Moisturizing
- Makes makeup last longer

Cons:

- Doesn't fill in pores as much as some thicker primers
- Not as matifying as I wanted it to be.


My thought:

I feel that this primer is very similar to the Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel and Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, from consistency to performance so if you like Monistat gel and Smashbox primer, you would like this primer as well. What making me like this one more than the other two are the packaging and how much product you get.

Review: [Pixi] Glow Tonic (Exfoliating Toner)

Photo from Target.com

Today I want to introduce a new product (new to me) that has become so popular lately: the Glow Tonic - Exfoliating Toner from Pixi. From the name you can see this is not just a regular toner; it can act as a gentle facial exfoliator as well!
You can get it at Target ($15 for ml) or if you want a bigger bottle, you can order directly from Pixi website ($29 for ml).

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

Pros:

- Contains great ingredients: ginseng, aloe vera, witch hazel, etc.
- Effectively exfoliates skin and gets rid of/prevents dry patches
- Gentle enough for everyday use
- Smells refreshing

Cons:

- Pricey


My thought:

Even though this product is pretty expensive for a toner, I think it's so much worth it! I used to have dryness on my chin and it shows through my foundation ... Well, I don't have that problem anymore, thanks to this toner. Unfortunately, there's no dupe for it (yet?). I only use it before putting makeup on (once a day) to prepare my skin for a smooth application. Because of the price, I use another toner that I absolutely love (Thayer's) at night and during the weekend.

Review: [Make Up For Ever] Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation

I have been looking for a matifying foundation for summer and I tried 3 popular ones: MUFE Mat Velvet +, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage and Estee Lauder Double Wear. MUFE Mat Velvet + is the only one I actually bought and tried continuously for a week. I will also write a little about the other 2 since I did try the samples a few times.


1. MUFE Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation

I tried this foundation with matifying primer and setting powder using both beauty blender and a flat kabuki brush.

Pros:

• Full coverage
• Not heavy if applying the right amount
• Nice soft matte finish

Cons:

• Doesn't stay matte, turns to dewy finish in 1-2 hours
• Comes off easily around my T-zone
• Oxidized
• Becomes cakey and heavy if applying too much
• Accentuate dryness

2. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage

Pros:

• Full coverage
• Long lasting

Cons:

• Settles in pores
• Feels heavy

3. Estee Lauder Double Wear

This foundation feels very similar to the Too Faced Born This Way foundation, except that it dries to a matte finish as compared to the natural finish of the Born This Way foundation, doesn't feel as lightweight but provides more coverage.

Pros:

• Full coverage
• Creamy texture that blends easily.
• Dry to a nice matte finish.
• Long-lasting

Cons:

• Doesn't have a pump (NOOOO!!!)
• A little heavy (but can still be used as a heavy-duty foundation for special occasions)

I had a very high hope for the MUFE Mat Velvet + but unfortunately it didn't work for me. Estee Lauder Double Wear seems nice but wouldn't be the one I'll reach to on a daily basis. Tarte Amazonian Clay settling in my pores is a big "no no". It means I'm still trying out matte foundations so stay tune for more foundation reviews!

Review: [Too Faced] Cocoa Powder Foundation

Since I bought the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, I had been thinking about getting another product from Too Faced's cocoa product line. I know most of you would think about the Chocolate Bar or the Semi-sweet Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palettes right away, but I already have quite a few palettes with similar shades in my collection so I decided to get this Cocoa Powder Foundation. You'll see that in this post I'm comparing this powder with my most favorite powder foundation and setting powder, the Benefit Hello Flawless Powder and the Japonesque Velvet Touch Finishing Powder.

I wanted to get the shade Light but but I thought it was a little too pink for me while the shade Golden Light was a little too dark, so the only option I had left is Fair. Now, I kinda regret not getting the shade Golden Light.

Claims:

• Exclusive Cocoa Complex is a proprietary blend of antioxidant-rich cocoa powder and moisturizing cocoa butter that work together to hydrate and smooth skin and boost your mood
• Eight flexible shades work on almost any skin tone
• Oil-absorbing
• Medium-to-full undetectable coverage
• Hyaluronic filling spheres diminish the appearance of fine lines and pores and aid with long-lasting hydration
• Crystalline Powder is made up of hexagonal-shaped platelets that slide over each other to bring out skin’s natural radiance while added pearl powder creates a soft focus effect leaving skin with a luminous rose petal finish
• Vegan Friendly
• Paraben Free

Rating kisses (out of 5): 

The packaging is very similar to the Soleil bronzers except that the color is black, not gold and that there's a sponge included underneath the actual powder.

It also smells like yummy chocolate just like the Soleil bronzers, which I love. Also, who doesn't like cocoa powder that is antioxidant-rich and may prevent or delay some types of cell damage?

It is claimed to "glide on seamlessly, blending into skin for a weightless, plush-matte, rose petal finish." Although I can see some particles in the pan, these particles don't show up on skin at all. Thus, the finish is somewhat matte and pretty smooth so I guess that looks like rose petal finish. The powder is also very fine so it does feel weightless on skin.

Now, because it is a powder foundation, I have to talk about its coverage. The coverage is light to medium; it is not medium to full like the Benefit Hello Flawless Powder. That is the reason I don't like to use it as a foundation but as a setting or touch-up powder instead.

As a foundation, I don't think it is enough to diminish the appearance of fine lines and my large pores! Because the coverage is too light, it is also hard to tell if it lasts long or not as a foundation.
As a setting powder, it does help blurring fine lines and pores but not as well as my holy grail Japonesque Velvet Touch Finishing Powder. My T-zone starts to get shiny after 4-5 hours with this powder as compared to 7-8 hours if I use the Velvet Touch powder. Thus, it's oil-absorbing feature is average

My final thought is that I really like it because of the fact that it has a very nice soft texture and smells amazing. I don't love it like I love my Japonesque Velvet Touch Finishing Powder which actually blurs my pores a lot or my Benefit Hello Flawless Powder Foundation which has more coverage, but I can see myself repurchasing it just to bring it with me everyday to touch up. I really enjoy putting this powder on.

So ... if you've tried it before, let me now in the comment section below!