Ahhh favourites of the month. I never do any of this favourites post before because I never find it interesting. Besides favourites, most people also do empties. I don’t do empties post but two years ago I gave it a twist and did something called “Newly Opened” because I’m rebellious like that

The reason why I never find reading favourites of the month interesting is because most people either (1) repeat the same product from last month and they can like it for a few months in a row. Nothing’s wrong with it though, don’t get me wrong. (2) Most favourites product had been reviewed before. So if I’ve already read the review, there is no need for me to know if you like it or not for a second time. (3) Most favourites product is the product that was reviewed within the same month. So long story cut short, I was itching to do something different and I’ve decided to come out with favourites of the month post too BUT, it will be on things that are not in the blog.

With all the non-stop shopping, I do try loads of new products off camera and usually these are the things that either make it to the blog or it never come near at all. Here is my August 2014 Favourites.

Bioderma Sébium H20 Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution
I met up with the beautiful ladies of Bioderma two weeks ago and Datin Juli Azmi, Chief Marketing Officer even came out to meet me. It was such a privilege to be able to meet with the people behind the highly raved brand and they brought me gifts! Datin Juli said that if I like Sensibio H20, I would like Sébium H20 even more. And she was so right. After trying the cute 20ml Sébium H20, I can say that I would prefer it over Sensibio. It has a pleasant scent to it and it is not as oily as what I’ve heard.

Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner Corrective Care for Enlarged Pores
I had my eyes on this one the first time I saw it at Guardian KLCC. I was extremely happy to find a sample size in my gift bag and I put it on my face the next morning. I like that it mattes out my skin but due to the fact that my pore size is extraordinary larger than ordinary large, I haven’t see any difference yet. Afterall I only had a 5ml tube. I think I would need to get the full size and try for a few months straight in order to see anything. However, that doesn’t stop me from liking this product. It smells amazing and it makes a good makeup base too. *waiting for sales*

ZA Perfect Fit Liquid Foundation #OC10
This is one of my favourite liquid foundation! It is not out in the market yet and due to be released by October 2014. You can read about the product at this link. Initially I was given the shade PO10 which is a pink base foundation but I exchanged it with OC10. OC10 is too dark and OC00 would be a better match for my skin tone. This is a water based foundation that goes on slightly matte. It offers medium coverage that is buildable to full coverage. I also like it for it’s flawless smooth finishing. I would definitely get OC00 soon.

Dr. Brandt XYY Eye Cream
Right after my trial with Clarins Extra-Firming Complete Rejuvenating Cream, I was eager to use my press sample bottle of Dr. Brandt XYY Eye Cream. During the blogger event, I found out that this range as well as DNA range is powerful in combating signs of aging. You all know how bothered I am with my under eye wrinkles so I HAD TO TRY THIS. This eye cream works best in smoothing all the fine lines by moisturizing the area. It is an anti-oxidant eye cream to protect, hydrates and smoothes eye area by providing a 12 hours of protection agains free radicals. After a few tries, I was impressed. Makeup on my under eye doesn’t cake up and concealer doesn’t accentuate the wrinkles I had. I didn’t want to neglect my Clarins so I only use this at night with just a rice size amount. Review will be up in a few months time.

Dior Diorsnow Iconic Overcurl Mascara #090 Over Black
I can’t remember where I got this travel size mascara. It has a normal brush size that is curvy like an eye shape. The formula is slightly dry, which is the type of consistency that I like. It gave my lashes volume, length and curl at the same time. The best part is that it doesn’t smudge on me. One thing good about travel size mascara is that the wand is shorter so I can get a better grip near my eye lashes.

Zoeva 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek & Zoeva 228 Crease
My latest Zoeva brush purchase is also my favourite brushes at the moment. I got the 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek for contouring. It gave my cheek a diffused contour line which no other brush can do. It’s either I get a harsh line or I get a blush-like effect. This brush is in between both .
I was looking for 227 Soft Definer but it was not in stock so I got the 228 Crease instead. I get this brush mainly to apply transition color on my upper crease before eyeshadow. The reviews online is 50/50. I’m so glad I bought this because it fits the purpose superbly.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse with Eyebrow Brush & Spoolie
I was eyeing on Too Faced Bulletproof Brows but the shade I want was out of stock. Thank goodness for that because I later found out that the gel dried up fast. Tarte had something similar as well so I bought that instead. I usually use a small plastic spatula to scrap some product out and only dip my brush from the spatula instead to prevent the gel from exposing to air for too long. It does take me a few usage to get used to the whole brow filling with a brush and gel. I used this product a lot but when I’m really rushing out of the door, I would go back to my ZA Ever Brows lol. Okay, this rushing thingy only happen once in a blue moon.

Make Up For Ever 210 Round Shader Brush
Recently Make Up For Ever launched a whopping 75 brushes and I’m already eyeing a few. Bless my wallet please . One of the press sample brush that I had is the 210 Round Shader Brush. To be honest I had no clue what I was going to use it for. At first I used it to line my upper eyes with darker eyeshadow and it work out well. But lining my upper eyes with eyeshadow is something that I don’t do very often. Contrary to that, I do line my lower eyelash on everyday basis. This brush has quickly become my favourite eye brush. I love the handle the most. The bristles are the softest that you can find for the delicate under eye lash. There is no fallout when I used this brush at all.

Some Random Mask Brush & Spatula
I bought this in a set from Mr. DIY for RM1.90 if I’m not mistaken. I have no idea why it took me this long to get a mask brush because I get the job done in a jiffy! I mainly bought it to apply GlamGlow mask and every other cream mask that I had at home. Best tool to get as I no longer need to waste tissue papers to wipe off the excess mask from my fingers. Mud mask is the most troublesome to clean I tell ya.

Honda Water Flask
Something not beauty related . I was given a limited edition water flask by my friend who happens to be the Sales Manager of Honda when I pick up my car one year ago. Being in the automotive media for a few years, I get countless of water flask from various media launch event. You can say I’m a bit bored with getting water flask although I do collect Honda merchandise. When I did a furniture reshuffling of my room a few weeks ago, I threw away every other water flask I had and decided to take this out to use instead. This one stays on my work/vanity table as I’m too lazy to walk to the kitchen for water. Usually merchandise like this is not in the best quality but I discovered that this one is different. One particular day I pour in 10% of hot water and left it on my table for a good few hours. When I opened the cap, the water is still warm! I am already thinking to put coffee in the flask instead

Glass Containers
You see this coming didn’t you? It is not a secret that I’m very much into crystal-like, shiny glass containers at the moment. It all started when I found a large glass container that was meant to put candies after watching Huda Beauty beauty storage ideas. That’s the large one you see on the right below. I wouldn’t just buy any glass container available as majority of it is dull and yellowish looking. What I was looking for is something clear, clean, crystal-like and with good workmanship. A few weeks after that I stumbled upon an identical but smaller size glass container so I bought that too. The larger one I used to store cotton buds, MUJI Peelable Cotton and normal cotton pads. The smaller one on the other hand is a bit small to store anything that I have so I used it to store travel size skin care that I wanted to use up, thumb drives, tweezer, brow scissors and so on.

Phew! That’s a lot of products that I like eh? I hope you like this new favourites post. Do let me know what you think so that I know if I should continue for the coming months. What’s your favourites product for the month of August? Anything interesting?

The post August 2014 Favourites: Things that are not in the blog appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

We are now into the 5th day of Lunar New Year. How time flies eh? Hope you are enjoying your celebration with all the yummy food, house visiting, meeting family and friends and of course all the angpow (Chinese translation for red packet) collecting for those that are still single. It sure is one hot and heaty Lunar New Year as usual. I totally love the pre-CNY weather of clear, bright blue sky a month before the Lunar New Year. It only happen once a year so I’m not complaining on the hot weather at all. Just embracing it

This will be a good time to tell you about this amazing eyeshadow primer that I have been using for the past few months. And this ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix had been put to a tough test throughout this Lunar New Year weather.

I picked up two different ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix from Luxola a few months ago. I couldn’t decide between Matte and Pearl so I pick both since the price is preeetttyyy affordable. One thing that I hate about Luxola is the constant (I really do mean very constantly) price change. It happened to a few Sigma brushes I bought before and I questioned Luxola on their Facebook page on the price increase matter and they replied back saying Sigma increased their brush price so Luxola have no choice but to increase their selling price too. Fine. But then the price dropped back down again not long after I bought my brushes. What the heck happen to “Sigma increased their brush price” excuse? If it’s legit I don’t see any reason to drop the price down. To cut the story short, same thing happen to this ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix. I bought it at RM24. I think I bought it not long after Luxola brought in the brand and product. Now that I check back, the price is now at RM26.50. I also bought a ZOEVA Petite Brush at RM26.50, which the price is now at RM28.50. I think if Luxola were to use the currency exchange rate excuse I would have accepted the price up and down better. Anyway, I’m glad I bought two. My advise is to only shop at Luxola whenever they have sales.

I feel that eyeshadow primer is not a necessary staple in everyone’s makeup routine. I do have oily lids so I have to keep the creasing at bay and to keep everything from melting off by using an eyeshadow primer. Everyone raved about Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP). Ever since I started using UDPP, I think it’s overrated and I still think it’s overrated. It was okay, but not fantastic. I still get creasing a few hours after that. Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer did a far better job than UDPP. It’s also affordable and my lid stay crease-free until I remove the makeup. The downside is Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer is always out of stock. I have to pre-order it and collect after the BA call me when the stock arrive. But it’s the best UDPP dupe I’ve used so far.

Eversince then I’ve been on a lookout for the best eyeshadow primer. Forget about finding UDPP dupe. My aim is to find an eyeshadow primer that can keep my lid oil-free and crease free. And I’ve found it with ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix

First thing that I like about ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix when I took out the tube from the box is the matte surface packaging and it comes in a slim tip nozzle tube, quite similar to eye cream. I also find the tube to be quite hard, almost like a blown up balloon but having said that, it is so easy to squeeze the product out. I just hope the air inside doesn’t run out because squeezing the product out will be a pain later.

Both tube is similar and identical. The only thing that differentiate both Matte and Pearl is the matte name print out on the front of the tube and the color sticker on the back. The Matte one is with a light beige sticker while Pearl one is with a light yellowish sticker. I certainly find this sticker to be helpful. Honestly I almost can’t read the matte name print on the front. Or maybe I don’t pay attention

Besides not being able to decide which ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix to get, I figure that I could use the Matte one for matte eyeshadow and Pearl one for shimmery eyeshadow. Which is why I pick up both.

ZOEVA Matte Eyeshadow Fix

This is the perfect, nearest similarity to Urban Decay Primer Potion. The color is in light beige but blends out nude. I say this is a good eyeshadow primer or base for matte eyeshadow because it does a good job in evening out the lid tone. The downside is it will be a bit cakey if you put on too much. However layering is fine provided you spread the product out quickly. It is also a bit tacky after ZOEVA Matte Eyeshadow Fix is applied on. You can either let it set a while before proceeding with eyeshadow application or you can do it like how I do it. I used the face brush that was used to apply setting powder all over the face earlier and run the brush over my eyelids. The leftover powder will set the eyeshadow fix, making it less tacky.

Here’s a demonstration using MAC Eyeshadow X 4 Palette in Cutie. On the left is Goody Goody Gum Drop and on the right is Azuki Bean. For a MAC this palette color payoff is quite sheer. I have to use 3-heavy swatch to get such color payoff. I used this palette with ZOEVA Matte Eyeshadow Fix on the 1st and 3rd day of Chinese New Year and the payoff is much better. Now I’m impressed with the palette.

ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix

You know I love shimmery eyeshadow and that itself explains why I need this ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix. Unlike the Matte version, this Pearl one comes with extra usage. Besides using this as an eyeshadow primer or base for shimmery eyeshadow, you can also use it as highlighter on the brow bone. This is because the shade itself is already quite pearly to begin with. It comes in a light yellowish color but don’t be afraid. It’s perfectly okay if you use it moderately but if you dab on too much, you can get a yellowish payoff like the swatch above.

It is also because of the pearly sheen of the ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix, any eyeshadow you put on top of it will just intensified and the color just popped out beautifully. It is also quite easy to spread. I usually use more because my eyelid is really very oily.

Here’s a demonstration using RMK 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette in 02 Gray. As usual RMK eyeshadow is quite sheer but the color payoff is buildable even without any primer on. Sometimes I cheat a bit and use ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix to build the color payoff. Throughout these few months I notice that everytime I use this ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix underneath any shimmery eyeshadow, the shimmer bits doesn’t fall out as much. My guess is the eyeshadow primer managed to grab on hold of the eyeshadow well. And of course let’s not forget the pearly sheen from ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix brings out the eyeshadow color.

Lastly here’s how it is on my eyes. It doesn’t make your eyeshadow look like a disco ball so you can stop worrying about that . It only help by intensifying the color a bit, keeping the creasing at bay and make your eyeshadow last longer. Just like any other eyeshadow primer would do

As for the longevity of my eyeshadow, I say it’s good and way better than Urban Decay Primer Potion. My inner corner eyelid only start to crease towards the end of the day i.e. around 7pm. Those with normal or less oily eyelid will have better result than I do. There’s not much complain on this product, really. For the price that I paid it is performing far better than expensive ones. I personally feel that it is not necessary to pair ZOEVA Matte Eyeshadow Fix with matte eyeshadow and ZOEVA Pearl Eyeshadow Fix with shimmery eyeshadow. I switch both up as I wish. Matte will be a perfect canvas for almost anything so why bother!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. I bought the product on my own.

The post Review: ZOEVA Eyeshadow Fix – Matte provide a nude canvas while Pearl gives a lovely sheen to any metallic or pearly eyeshadow appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona