I've never done one of these lists before but I had to compile one out of necessity for some other purpose so I thought I would refine another version for my blog. Here's my
Top 5 Beauty Products list!
Let’s be honest here, we all know that our top beauty products always change because that’s what’s so lovely about make-up: it is situational and versatile; it is dependent on many factors. So let me tell you about the top 5 things I’m loving at the moment. Like literally. At this precise moment 0313hrs on this day the 23rd of January in this year 2015.
First up is the NARS Semi-matte lipstick in the shade
Scarlet Empress.
I am a total lippie addict and I love the Semi-matte lipstick in the shade Scarlet Empress from Nars. Doesn’t the name just immediately grab your attention? SCARLET EMPRESS. Just makes one think of some bad-ass oriental princess. I’m a Linguistics student so names of products – especially lipsticks, because some of them can get pretty ridiculous – are really important for me. So Scarlet Empress definitely gets the name right.
The colour is extraordinarily rich and pigmented, as you can see. As a semi-matte lipstick, it balances the colour richness and the level of moisturising properties just right. It also has anti-oxidants so whilst wearing it, your lips actually get fixed and replenished rather than just being sucked dry. This is a really deep shade of red with a tinge of blue hence it can help to whiten your teeth as well. Personally, I love it because it’s
super sexy yet dark enough to show off an edgy side. This lipstick is slightly pricier being about SGD40, but I definitely feel that it’s worth it.
Wearing Scarlet Empress on the lips with no lip liner or mix of other colours (which I have the tendency to do, heh)
#2: Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
I am a huge eyeshadow fan. I’m often rocking a smokey eye, so any tool that helps me achieve an amazing eye look will definitely be on my Top 5 Beauty Products list. The Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush is one tool that an eyeshadow addict cannot live without.
It has a unique tapered design with a sharp end and little wispy sides that allows you to use it at all angles. Firstly, with a light sweep of the brush while it’s horizontal, you are able to get just a slight tinge of colour. To pile on and pack on a stronger colour, you just have to use the brush horizontally and get the flat-end and do multiple sweeps.
Because of how small this eyeshadow brush is as well, it’s quite suitable for people with small eyes (LIKE ME!) because it’s easy to map out your desired eyeshadow shape. Also, if you are constantly using soft motions while using this brush, it doubles up as both a brush that PUTS ON colour AND also blends out harsh lines. It’s all about
multi-functionality nowadays with our busy and fast-paced lives so I feel that this brush is particularly useful especially for the working girl (or guy – I don’t discriminate!).
Further plus points for those more aware and concerned: Real Techniques brushes are 100% cruelty-free and they do not do product testing on animals.
#3 Make Up Forever HD Liquid Foundation
I actually bought this because I’d seen it in one of my favourite make-up artists’ – the ever elegant and beautiful Lisa Eldridge – Youtube videos! It was in her “Favourite Foundations” video. I had also run out of my then-current Go-to foundation and was browsing around in Sephora when I decided to give this a chance. Am I totally glad I did, because this is indispensable to me right now.
It has a pump dispenser, which I prefer, rather than just pouring out the liquid foundation, so you are able to control well the amount that you need.
I find that the HD foundation glides on best with application by your fingers, rather than a brush. With a brush a lot of product gets taken away, so it’s better to use your fingers to work the product into your skin first, before taking either a buffing brush or a sponge to really buff it into your skin.
On first application, it may seem that the coverage isn’t there, but this is actually buildable to a medium coverage so dark areas do get evened out. It’s very light on the skin and does not feel like it’s stopping your skin from breathing – that’s really a major concern for many people; cakey and thick foundation isn’t very good for your skin. It also does not contain SPF, so you don’t have to worry about flashback when you use flash photography. It’s oil-free as well, so you get a really natural finish.
The main thing is, it really PHOTOGRAPHS BEAUTIFULLY! I’ve worn this for numerous events, from my graduation ceremony at NUS, to crazy festivals like Freq’ender and ZoukOut and the photos always turn out fantastic.
#4: Sleek Eyeshadow i-Divine in ‘Storm’ Palette
As I said earlier, I am IN LOVE with eyeshadows and eye looks. So when an eyeshadow palette comes along that is absolutely affordable and has such good colour pay-off, I know when I should hold on tight to my treasure and never let go! Sleek eyeshadow palettes come in 12 colours – I actually got the ‘Storm’ palette as a gift from Luxola because of a promotion and it has since become my favourite out of the three Sleek palettes I have.
The consistency of the mineral eyeshadow is creamy and glides on easily on the eyelid. The shimmery shades cover a reasonable base for smokey looks; the tones range from champagne, gold, beige, brown to grey, pink, maroon, green and blue. I feel that for the Storm palette, this selection of colours works extremely well because most colours can be used together in a duo- or triple- or even quadruple manner to create exquisite eye looks.
What I love the most is that there are three MATTE shades in this palette, two shades of brown and a charcoal black. These browns help to contour the eye socket (useful for someone like me with hooded eyes and no deep-set sockets to speak of), warm up the eye colours, and also the black is able to deepen further any smokey-eye looks.
I’ve been talking about make-up for the past 4 products but let’s be honest, make-up looks best on skin that is GOOD. One thing that is an instant perk me up is
Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold.
C’mon, with such a name like LIQUID GOLD, need you ask more? Okay, actually with everything you slather on your skin, you need to be. Careful, I mean. Alpha-H contains glycolic acid and is A SUPER-toner, so I would caution anyone with extraordinarily sensitive skin to just whack this on without doing a test patch. Personally, my skin is only a little bit sensitive and does not break out much to many things, but even then, I don’t follow Alpha-H’s instructions of using Liquid Gold every alternate day.
I use it once a week. And that’s enough! It has magical properties, I swear it really does.
Proudly promoted as the ‘overnight facial’ by the Alpha-H specialists over in Australia, they’ve come up with a no-nonsense concentrated solution for people with dull and tired skin. I’ve got my mom on the bandwagon, my father and friends whom have stayed over at my place as well… Even just for one night there are observable results the next day! Your skin is rejuvenated and looks clearer. There’s a lightness to your skin. Unfortunately I haven’t been using this regularly recently – I got too caught up with work and didn’t have a good cleansing regime so I’m having a bit of a bad skin period right now. But I’ve gone straight back onto Alpha-H Liquid Gold so hopefully all my acne scars will clear up.
So that's it, my current faves. I love writing about makeup and beauty products so much! Hope y'all enjoyed reading this entry, and that these precious nuggets of information would give you some insights to these products.
Love,
Pamela
Labels: alpha h, Beauty, beauty blog, beauty products, lists, make up forever, makeup, nars, real techniques, skincare, sleek
