Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer [Review]

Dear readers,

Followers of my blog will know how I love BB creams - especially Korean ones, and how I usually prefer the latter ones to the Westernised versions.

It has been quite a long time since I last tested out a Western BB cream, so you can imagine my delight when Pupa Milano in Malta sent me one of their newest 2 in 1 products -  a BB Cream and primer.

The Pupa Milano Professionals BB Cream + Primer comes in 2 different shades [nude/sand], which Pupa states that they adjust to a wide range of skin tones. Check out the Pupa website *here* for further info.

The BB Cream comes in a standard plastic tube with a screw on lid, and it holds 50ml of product.

Like many other BB creams, this has SPF20 and moisturising properties too, so it is an excellent product for those people who really don't have any time to spare in the morning for make-up application.

The shade which I was sent, Sand, is a tad too dark for my liking, but true to their statement, this blends really easily into my skin, giving my face a really natural look. I have been using this for more than a week now and I only have positive things to say about this product.

Firstly, this does cover any redness on my face, but like other BB creams this only gives a very light coverage - so much so that this can be used a primer/base for your foundation [I'll come to that later].

I use this BB cream by itself in the mornings, especially for work when I really don't want to go OTT with my makeup [and I'm always in a rush]. I just rub this in with my fingers [or you can use a sponge/brush if you so prefer], then set it with powder. I always feel that I have to set any bb creams/foundations with powder since I have oily/combination skin. This lasts about 8 hours on me [which is really good actually, giving the amount of humidity we have in Malta at the moment].

I have also tried using it as a primer under my foundation, and this works well in that area too: my foundation did not budge all night and it does not appear to give me a white cast. Thumbs up!

All in all, I quite like this product and if you are new to BB cream you should definitely test it out. You can get it from pharmacies and selected outlets around Malta and Gozo and it costs €15.90.

natural lighting

with flash

blended in, with flash

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

***Disclaimer: This product was sent to me by Pupa Milano for review purposes. I was not paid to do this review. What I wrote in the review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

NYX Cosmetics Malta [Launch | Bloggers Event]

Dear readers,

Last Wednesday my fellow Maltese bloggers and myself were invited to the official launch of the NYX Cosmetics store in Malta, and I can't tell you how excited I was about this! I have lusted over NYX products for the longest time ever, especially beauty staples such as their HD line, lipsticks, eyeshadows and a million other products.

The store is located in the heart of Sliema, one of Malta's main shopping areas. It is tastefully decorated in a black and white scheme, with pristine walls and a gleaming floor.

The lovely staff welcomed us with a glass of chilled fragolino, which as you can imagine, went down a treat. They also provided us with tasty nibbles, complete with colourful macaroons, Oreo pyramids and lush looking eclairs.

The store is stocked full with everything that you would/might need for flawless make-up - from primers to bases, from pigments to eyeshadows, lipsticks to lipglosses and everything else in between, and more!

The makeup in itself is gorgeous and so affordable I nearly wept with joy. I got a couple of products I wanted - especially their jumbo eyepencil in 'Milk' which I have already started using. I also got loose powder which I have fallen in love with - it is so soft and so finely milled it is an accomplishment in itself - watch this space for future reviews!

They were also so kind to give us a goodie bag [made out of lace!] filled with some of their lovely make-up collection.

If you are from Malta, and you love make-up, you should definitely go visit their store! And check out their Facebook page *here* for updates and news.

rows and rows of nail polishes

lipstick heaven

some of their much coveted after HD line

more nail polishes

swatch happy :) 

the items I bought - that powder is especially to die for

mmmmm ...

Much love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Label.m Brunette Resurrection Style Dust [Review]

Dear readers,

If like me you have limp, lifeless hair, then this Label.m Resurrection Style Dust is a must for your hair.

It comes in two versions: the brunette version that I have, and the white version. You can get yours from the Label.m website *here* or Look Fantastic *here*.

It costs £12 and you get 3.5 grms worth of product.

The 'fairy dust' as I like to call it comes in a plastic jar with a screw on lid. Inside you get a sifter which dispenses the right amount of product every time you use it - so there's no risk of shaking out too much dust.

On the website, Label.m state how this is a;

"Miracle powder designed to add incredible depth and iridescent shine to brunette hair tones for enhanced volume and dynamic texture. The fine, light and smooth particles easily absorb into hair for perfect distribution, effortless backcombing and the ability to revive and rework your style throughout the day by simply massaging at the roots."

To use, you simply shake some of the Resurrection Dust into your roots, then massage it with your fingers, and watch the magic happen before your eyes. This gives an incredible lift to roots without the need to backcomb your hair, but when I feel the need for 'big beauty queen style' hair', I also give my roots a quick backcomb after I shake some dust in my roots.

The amazing thing about this Label.m Brunette Resurrection Style Dust is that if after a while you feel that your hair has lost some of its oomph, you just need to massage your roots to achieve volume once again! One word I can say about this is WOW.

The dust in itself is quite sticky [to give a better hold] but will not bother you the slightest once you apply it because it is quickly absorbed in the hair [although I always prefer to wash my hair the day after I have used it]

When I first got hold of the Resurrection Dust, I gave the bottle a shake and couldn't believe how the dust inside expands - and I guess that this is one of the properties that enable this product to give volume to the hair. 

Fab product, Label.m never fail to impress the heck out of me. If you have never tried them out, you must do so ASAP!

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo

***Disclaimer: This product was sent to me by Label.M for review purposes. I was not paid to do this review. What I wrote in the review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in #16 'Coolest Chic' [Review]

Dear readers,

Lately I have been favouring coloured eye pencils - just to use them on the lower lash line. I love how coloured eyeliners make your eyes pop with minimal work, make-up wise.

One of the first coloured eye pencils that I got was this Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in #16 'Coolest Chic'. 

There is quite a range of colours in this line.

I forgot how much I paid for this but it was less than Euro 4.00 for sure [probably less than Euro 2.50 too!]. I tried looking for a seller who stocks this colour since I do know that Essence is not available worldwide - if you want you can check out this seller *here* - he/she has some Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencils in stock - and cheap too.

'Coolest Chic' is a gorgeous lilac-y colour with tiny shimmer particles to give that extra oomph or wow factor. This colour looks amazing with brown / darker eyes.

This eye pencil has a retractable mechanism - so you won't need to sharpen it - yey! I have also fully twisted the eyeliner out and back down a couple of times, and all works well - so no problems with the packaging. The labeling hasn't faded too.

It is quite soft and very easy to work with - it doesn't pull or tug at your eyes, on the opposite, this glides on really smooth. It is also soft enough that it allows you to blend it before it sets.

Once it sets, oh boy! It doesn't budge!

Can't believe that this costs so little, and performs so well. Thumbs up, will get the rest of the colours for sure.

Do you use coloured eye pencils? Which is your favourite colour/brand?

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo

MAC Point Pot in 'Painterly' [Review]

Dear readers,

Ever since I got MAC's Paint Pot in 'Painterly' [it was a birthday present] not a single day has passed where I haven't used this.

Paint Pots are cream eyeshadows which come in small glass jars with screw on lids [you get 5 grms].

The shade I have, 'Painterly' is a nude shade which I use in two ways;

For work, I use this by itself to give my eyelids a hint of colour and to conceal any unsightly purple veins [I know - eugh] off my eyelids - and this also makes my eyeliner stay on longer.

I also use 'Painterly' as an eyeshadow base - this works exceptionally well as an eyeshadow primer - eyeshadows don't budge or fade - even in the hottest of weathers [it's about 35 degrees celcius in Malta atm].

Now seriously, I cannot rave enough about this product!

This has been the first cream eyeshadow that does not crease - not even in the slightest - even on my oily eyelids!!

You only need a tiny amount for a hint of colour - so I know that this pot will last me a long time. Just be careful to screw the lid on tightly because I heard that these can dry out an crack if not sealed properly.

without flash

with flash

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Cuticle Tattoos [Trends]

Dear readers,

We have seen the caviar, leather, fluffy, feathers, studs, holographic,wraps et all nail art - but guess what?! Another type of nail art has been officially launched - and these are Cuticle Tattoos.

I first saw these on Michelle Phan's blog about 2 weeks or so ago. If I'm not mistaken these 'cuticle tattoos' were invented by Rad Nails - check out their website *here*.

The cuticle tattoos come in 4 different styles and cost $6 dollars per sheet - to apply you only use water - so they are much like transfers - and obviously they are temporary.

The 'tattoos' can be used on the cuticle to compliment your nail art, or inverted and stuck on your own nail.

As a nail tech I am very much intrigued by these - but alas! they are all so sold out on their website - but I've no doubt that there will be loadssss of imitations on the market.

image via Rad Nails

image via Rad Nails

So what do you think of this new nail trend? Would you rock them yourself? I defo would!

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Catrice Camouflage Cream in 020 'Light Beige' [Review]

Dear readers,

I'm feeling so sick, I just can't stop coughing boooo! It sucks when you're sick in the middle of summer. Thankfully, the weather has cooled down a bit today and hopefully I will feel better by tomorrow.

On to the review.

So by now most of you should know about my love affair with the Tony Moly Baby Doll concealer - check out my review *here* if you haven't already read it.

I think I have found an affordable concealer that can match the Tony Moly one - and this is Catrice's Camouflage Cream.

If I'm not mistaken it comes in just 3 shades - a shade lighter and darker than the one I got - I wish that they made this is more shades.

It comes in a small, screw top plastic jar and you get 3g of product. I think this cost me between Euro 5-6. I know that Catrice is not available worldwide but I found it available from this E-bay seller *here*.

This Camouflage Cream is one badass concealer! It has such a high coverage it amazed me the first time I used it [especially because of its affordable price tag].

You can apply different layers but beware - because this can crease - especially under your eyes [and especially if you have fine wrinkles].

I apply this sparingly [and believe me - a light application is more than enough] and it gives amazing results! This can be used both on your dark circles, and around your nose and any other imperfections that you might have.

I always set it with a powder because of my oily skin but this does last a loooonnggggg time.

Two thumbs up!! Will surely re-purchase this when I run out!

without flash

with flash

blended, without flash

Which is your favourite concealer?

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

Summer Giveaway - New Second Prize Winner [Update]

Dear readers,

I am very much saddened because the second prize winner of my giveaway did not reply to my email - I first sent her an email on the 2nd of August, and a reminder on the 5th of August. In the giveaway conditions I did state that the winner has to get back to me within 3 days - but I gave her 5 days to get back to me just in case.

So I had to choose another winner, and this is Catherine K!:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well done!

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

O3 Eyewear Sunglasses [A Closer Look]

Dear readers,

About a month or so ago I received a pair of gorgeous 'wayferer' style sunglasses from a new company called O3 Eyewear - check out their facebook page *here* and their upcoming website *here*.

They have a large variety of affordable sunnies - ranging from more vintage styles to the more modern wayferers - so there is a style for everyone!

The sunglasses I received have a black outer frame and a blue inner frame - so those persons who want a pop of colour but are afraid to go all out should definitely invest in one of these! There are different colour combinations so I'm sure that you'll find a colour combination that you like.

The sunglasses have UV protection and are really sturdy!

*Image taken from O3 Eyewear FB page*

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo

***Disclaimer: This product was sent to me by O3 Eyewear for review purposes. I was not paid to do this review. What I wrote in the review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Wjcon Pencil Brush [Review]

Dear readers,

When it comes to painting, it's useless having the colours if you do not have the supporting products - such as good brushes. This goes for makeup too.

...and [in my opinion] one of the most essential brushes to have is the pencil-style brush.

This brush is used to precisely apply colour in your crease [especially darker colours - then blending everything with a fluffy brush] and under you lower lash line.

The one I am using at the moment is by Wjcon Make Up - a very affordable Italian brand which can also be found in Birkirkara in Malta.

The brush has a white handle and synthetic bristles. and it cost me somewhere between Euro 7 / 8.

I've had it for about 6 months now and it hasn't shed any bristles at all.

You can also use the brush to apply concealer on small areas - such as on spots and other imperfections.

The only downside that I can think of is that the labeling is all in Italian - so you must ask the sales representatives to translate for you - which they will do gladly because they are all so very friendly and helpful.

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo