Benefit's Hoola Bronzer Review + Swatch!

So, I'm not really a bronzer fan. Since I feel I'm not too good with giving myself a nice bronzed, sun-kissed summer look. Probably need a lot more practice, shhh. Which is why, I only use bronzer for contouring. Hence, I always go for a matte bronzer. Benefit's Hoola Bronzer is maybe the most raved bronzer in the makeup world. It doesn't look too orange, or too red and has no sparkles, whatsoever. I couldn't get the courage to dish out $30 dollars for a bronzer, I wasn't sure if it'd be worth it. So instead, I got the deluxe size in a kit, picture below:

Benefit's Hoola Bronzer is one of their famous box 'o powders. The new packaging is a cardboard flip to open lid, in which there's a small mirror. It also comes with a brush. But since I don't own the full size, can't say anything about it's packaging or brush. The deluxe packaging isn't anything special, just black plastic, but it works.

I'd have to agree that this bronzer really is something different. Not that I've tried numerous drugstore bronzers, but I have tried a few to say it's hard to find one that doesn't look to orange or mud all over your face. Also, this one is long lasting, and lasts around 8-10 hours without fading on my oily skin. It has no fragrance, and is soft to touch. Isn't buttery soft, but I kind of like that. You can easily pick it up with a brush but it doesn't make a mess with too much fallout.

The swatch above is kind of dim, I know. But it's kind of hard to get a dark swatch, since the product isn't too packed with pigment. Which I actually really like about this bronzer. 'Cause I don't have to be too scared applying, thinking I'll look like I have a fake tan.
Overall, I really like this bronzer. And I think it's worth the hype and price! The full size has a lot of product to last quite long, and it definitely gives a very natural contour. It can be bought from benefitcosmetics.com, and sephora.com (online and in stores). Also, the color is universally flattering on most skin tones.

Rimmel BB Cream Matte SPF 15 - Review + Swatch!

I heard a lot about the Rimmel Matte BB cream, being probably the best drugstore BB cream. Which of course tempted me to try it out, especially since I hadn't found any BB cream to my liking. Not that I've tried a dozen, but I've tried  few. And to me they'd either be too runny or too oily. The Rimmel BB cream retails for around $9-11 depending where you buy it from. And is available at most drugstores. It has three shades, very light, light and medium. I got the shade light, and I think it matches my skin quite well. Though maybe its cause its sheer so the shade doesn't make too much of a difference. 

It's a very creamy formula, slightly runny too though. Provides more coverage than most BB creams I think. And has a light fresh floral smell to it. It has 1 Fl Oz/30 ml of product and has broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen. It's a 9-in-1 skin perfecting BB cream, which promises 9 things, 1) minimizes the appearance of pores 2) evens skin tone 3) mattifies 4) controls shine all day 5) smoothes 6) soothes 7) conceals dark circles 8) helps prevent blemishes 9) gives all day coverage. 

Though it has sunscreen, I still apply sunscreen before using it. Cause where I live it's really hot, and you need a lot of protection from the sun. The application of this BB cream is quite smooth, but I don't really notice any difference in the appearance of my pores. Also, regardless of it's name being matte, it's not a flat out matte; which I actually like. Neither is it extremely oily like the Garnier BB cream. I do feel though it doesn't control the shine on my T Zone, for which I need to set it. The lasting power is nice too, but wears off after around 6-8 hours. 

Final verdict, I actually like this BB cream a lot. It's not too oily, or too thick, but is a medium consistency. Lasts fairly long, and provides decent coverage. The only cons for me are that it doesn't hold shine too well, and I don't like how it spreads all over the cap. Other than that, great product!

Hope this review was helpful! What's your favorite drusgtore BB cream? 

L'Oréal Color Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color in Molto Mauve (500) Review + Swatch!

Since the weather has been cooling down, I've been going crazy after dull plums/mauves and dull red lip colors for the fall and winter. In a recent shopping spree, I got the L'Oréal Color Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color (boy that's a mouth full) in the shade Molto Mauve (500). They were launched in 2013 in the USA, but took a while to get around to other places. The price tag is a little high, at $9.99. But they come in a beautiful gold packaging, which makes them look kind of high-end.

The tube holds 6 ml of product, and has a flat doe-foot applicator. I really like the applicator, cause it doesn't saturate too much product and evenly applies it. It also has a fruity fragrance, which is a little more than mild. It doesn't bother me at all, and I actually like it. Once applied, I don't feel the fragrance at all. The color is a light mauve-pink with very fine sparkles that don't really show up on the lips but give a 3-D effect and add to the glossiness.

Swatch in indoor lighting.

The lasting power is quite nice too, it lasts me about 3 hours before fading. After which there is light glossiness. Also, it doesn't dry my lips as much as lipsticks do, which is a real plus point for me. 'Cause my lips dry out very quickly. I think this is because it contains Argan oil, Lotus Flower Oil, Camelia Seed Oil and Rose Canina Oil.  

Swatch in outdoor lighting

The pigmentation is quite remarkable I think. It isn't fully opaque with one swipe, but the color is buildable, Though it does feel slightly heavier than an average lipstick on my lips, but isn't sticky, which is why it doesn't bother me.

Overall, I am really impressed by the L'Oréal Color Riche Extraordinaire Liquid Lip Colors, and I really like the color Molto Mauve. I think they have an awesome glossy look and last really well. I really want to get a few more colors now! 

I hope the review was helpful! I'd like to know what your new buys are for the fall/winter. Let me know in the comments! :)

Yourbot - technology taking us further!

Yourbot is an android based device with speech-to-text conversations, allowing your future generations to virtually interact with you. The device allows you to store your memories so that you may share them with your future generations. It does so by asking you a series of questions to create a digital YOU. Just by talking to the device, through the mobile app and/or web, you'll create Your Bot. Your Bot may become exactly you, or the personality you most want to be.
The questions asked by Yourbot are not random, but in fact were put together by researchers at Princeton University, to span all aspects of the human experience, and get an depth idea of your personality. The device then stores your responses and narrates them in video form.
There are several things and experiences of our lives that you might wish to tell your great great grandchildren. Well, now the waits over!

The Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It - Review!

Makeup primers used to be a thing only makeup experts used... Until they hit the drugstore. I never really thought of buying a primer, and never felt I needed one, till I started observing more carefully my skin after doing my makeup. I started feeling there should be something to evenly layer my foundation, because it sometimes tends to be patchy, and there should be something to reduce the appearance of pores. Which is when of course, all the primer hypes started making sense. I currently only own one face primer, which is The Body Shop's Skin Primer Matte it.

I guess I haven't gotten a primer after this one cause of how satisfied I've been with this one. It holds 25ml/0.84oz, and retails for $18 I think. It is available at The Body Shop and can be purchased online at The Body Shop. It has no fragrance whatsoever and comes in a twist up cap. The packaging is decent and travel friendly, and I have no issues with that. The primer leaves your skin very velvety and soft after application. There are some reviews saying that it kind of makes makeup slip off, to which I'd disagree because it is preferable to wait a little after applying primer, so that it's properly adhered to the skin. And also, a primers job is to ensure smooth and even application, so the primer doesn't let too much foundation stick to one area of the face.

The primer is clear and has a gel like consistency. It decreases the appearance of pores and reduces oiliness. It also makes my makeup last longer. Just that I feel it should mattify my face a little more. Maybe I feel like that cause my skin is too oily, but to be honest, that's so far the only problem I've had with this primer. Otherwise I absolutely love it, and I always use it on functions and occasions, when I know I need my makeup to last longer. The downside for some might be that it's silicone based, since for many that triggers acne. But cleansing properly and taking care of your skin can often avoid that. 

Final verdict, I really like this primer and and use it quite often. It's travel friendly, has a lot of product and doesn't bother my skin. Yet, I'd like to try more primers to see if I really can get primers that control oil better, because of my extremely oily skin.

Hope the review was helpful! Have you tried The Body Shop's primer? And what primer do you use mostly?

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer - Review + Swatch!

I absolutely adore highlighters. Whatever color or shade they are, I like to have them in my stash. Not that I have many (I'm still building my collection). In fact, The Balm's Mary Lou Manizer was my first highlighter. And it is, by far one of the most amazing highlighters I've ever tried. I bought it on Amazon, for $16.99 (it actually retails for $24.99 I think, on the official website). I totally think it was worth every penny, which I'll explain in the review. Also, Hautelook every now and then has sales on The Balm makeup where it is for 50% off.

The retro packaging is very cute. It's a sturdy compact, with a mirror on one side, taking good space in the palm. It holds 8.5g/0.3 Oz which is a lot of product. Especially considering how pigmented it is, it feels like it'll never finish. There isn't any fragrance to the powder I feel. And oh, it is so soft! Which is why I use a flat brush and pat it on the compact, to avoid fall out. Since you need very less to get a good glam look. It may give you the disco ball look if applied heavily, so it's better to start off using a light hand. It has some sparkle in it, I wouldn't say too much, since it ends up looking just like a beautiful sheen when applied lightly.

The lasting powder is nice too, even though I have very oily skin. It lasts about 6-7 hours without primer or setting spray. I would say though that the compact is kind of delicate plastic. Since my luminizer chipped from the side, after which I added a little rubbing alcohol and pressed it. So, maybe it's not too great for travel...
Overall verdict, I absolutely love this product. Even though some people feel it's hard to pull it off during day time, I think it's very possible using a light hand. And that it gives a very beautiful champagne highlight to the face.

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Lip Color in Keep Up The Flame! Review + Swatch!

Maybelline Super Stay Lipstick in Keep up the Flame (025), is a long wearing matte red lipstick. It's a 2 way lipstick, from one side you apply the actual color and the other side is to keep your lips moisturized and hydrated, since the lipstick formula is drying. When I first got into long wearing lipsticks, I decided I had to get a red long wearing lipstick. 'Cause red lipsticks feather out of the lips the most, especially if you don't use lip liner. I thought it was a great way to keep your lipstick in place and not having to use lip liner! :D

Keep up the flame is a cool toned red lipstick, it's more like a deep red. It has no shimmer or sparkle whatsoever, and dries to a completely matte finish. The lipstick holds 2.3 ml of product, which I think is kind of less. As you can see in the picture, the compartment holding the lipstick isn't much big either. The lipstick has a very slight floral scent, which isn't overpowering at all. I actually like it, it's refreshing. 

The Balm on the other end, to moisturize the lipstick comes quite handy. Even though I like to keep the lipstick completely matte sometimes, my lips get too dry which is when I use the balm. As far as whether the lipstick lives up to the 24 hour claim, I haven't tested it so long. I never wear makeup for 24 hours really. But it does last straight 8 hours with eating and drinking and doesn't fade. Neither does it transfer. 

The swatch kind of looks funny, cause it's my wrist and it has a straight red line (:P), but oh well.. Swatches on the wrist seem more clear to me. The lipstick retails for $8.99-9.99 depending on where you buy it from. It's available in most drugstores.

Overall, I really like this lipstick. It's very long lasting, I absolutely adore the color, and it doesn't feather. What else can you ask for of a lipstick? Though the fact remains, I am not someone who wears a red lip very often. I wore a red lip on my sister's wedding which was 6 months ago, after which I haven't worn a red lip. But I definitely would want to try more colors in this range, cause of how beautiful the formula is. I'd love finding a more nude/light pink color to wear on a daily basis.