NEW LOVES: Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks

These lipsticks did not disappoint. This is my first time trying out any products from Too Faced and the minute I put these on, they're an instant favorite. Love!

Too Faced describes this as a creamy, color drenched lipstick that is hydrating, soothing, and conditioning. It is vegan friendly and Paraben free.

I noticed that there's a trend now for gold tube lippies. I like the matte finish on the La Creme packaging because you wouldn't have to worry about it getting scratches, specially when you're carrying it around your purse. One thing I'm most pleased about is that the cap closes off tightly so it's really travel (and purse) friendly. It has a nice weight to it, like a YSL lipstick; it feels really luxe.

The colors I chose were more on the everyday type because I needed such in my arsenal. To non makeup addicts these may look pretty much the same but to me it just gave my lipstick collection a lot of variety. And it seemed like the perfect formulation for everyday wear because it felt really moisturizing. It feels very comfortable on my lips specially during application. Speaking of application, it glided on so smoothly like butter. It was love at first swipe! It delivered an even coat with one swipe and the pigmentation is great for a moisturizing lipstick. Usually with such formulation you'll find the shades too sheer but the La Creme's pigmentation was actually good.

Too Faced doesn't claim this as long-wearing and I do note that it got completely wiped off after eating. Also it has a tendency to settle on the fine lines of your lips though it's not that noticeable.

I know, I know.. It all looks the same. These are the types of shades that I love!

NAUGHTY NUDE

Naughty Nude is a chestnut shade. I noticed it slips and slides on my lips. And since it's a light color, it is quite noticeable. I suggest not pressing your lips too much to avoid color migration. When I first saw this on the store, I was certain it won't look good on me; it looked too ashy for me. But I'm glad I took the risk. I finally found the perfect nude for my skin tone. This didn't wash me out.

SPICE SPICE BABY

Spice Spice Baby is a pinky brown lipstick. This shade is the perfect color for my pigmented lips. It's definitely my MLBB ("my lips but better") lipstick. My lips are this shade naturally and wearing this lipstick did not look like I was wearing anything at all. It does not emphasize dry patches on the lips, which, by the way is consistent across the four shades I own.

CINNAMON KISS

Cinnamon Kiss is a spiced brown shade. It looks very similar with Sweet Maple on the photos. The latter is actually darker in person. Cinammon Kiss has more mauvish pink tones in it.

SWEET MAPLE

Sweet Maple is a plum brown shade. And the plum tones are more apparent if you look at the lippy in actual. It is the darkest of the four shades I have but it's not overpowering when you wear it. It still looks natural and wearable.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I think everyone will find a shade that will suit them. These are one of the best lipstick formulations I've ever tried and I wouldn't think twice of getting all the shades. Ehem. That's the hoarder in me talking. It was so soothing on the lips even after swiping and removing it for the purpose of this review. I really love them and I can't wait to get more!

xx,

Thea

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My thoughts: Benefit Gimme Brow and a Comparison with MAC Brow Set

Benefit Gimme Brow

I am a brow conscious freak and I have a nasty habit of over plucking my brows. Some days I find myself looking into a magnifying mirror, plucking away stray hairs thinking ooh, this looks so much better. And then I pull out from the mirror and realize how crappy it looks. I know all of us had horror stories like this.

My brows are that one thing that really frustrates me. Up until now I still haven't found that routine to perfect the shape and look of it.

Benefit Gimme Brow

Benefit says this product is water resistant, long-wearing, natural-looking, and buildable. It is a brush on fiber gel for the brows. Basically this will help in grooming your brows, making the hair stay in place, and giving it a tint. It comes in only 2 shades which I thought was very limiting.

Benefit Gimme Brow

I got mine in light/medium. The other shade was obviously too dark for me, specially because I had my hair colored to a lighter shade. I wish Benefit would come up with a broader color range. Brow gels are kinda tricky because you have to take into consideration your hair color. I like how light the shade is but it turned out looking ashy on my brows.

Besides the color range, I love everything about this product. The itsy bitsy brush head is perfect and makes it really easy for me to go back and forth, coating all the strands. I'm usually apprehensive with brow gels because of my experience with the MAC brow sets but this one wasn't intimidating to use. It applied evenly and left my brows tamed but not flat. Many have claimed it as volumizing but I haven't really noticed that.

MAC Brow Set vs. Benefit Gimme Brow

MAC Brow Set and Benefit Giime Brow

My first brow gel was the MAC brow set. Size wise, MAC takes the cake. I wish the Gimme Brow was this big. The two are very different not just in the amount of product. The brush head shape and size differences are very notable, as well as the color range.

For me, I like Benefit's brush better compared to MAC's. In my experience, the tapered brush makes it easier to get to the inner part of the brows and easier to coat the tiny hairs. Application of the Brow Set was quite difficult for me. It always looked uneven and patchy. The brush packed on too much product which makes it feel thick on my brows. I know you can just rub the excess off on a paper towel but isn't it just a waste? 

However, what I do love about MAC's brow set is that the shade makes the brows look multidimensional because of the flecks of shimmer. Whereas the Gimme Brow is just matte.

Final Thoughts:

Benefit was on point when they described this product. It looked natural, and lasted all day on my brows even when I was sweating. Applying it was really fuss free and easy. Even though it deposited an extra amount of product on the wand, it applied evenly thus eliminating product wastage. It held my brow hairs in place and made it look really neat. What I'd love to see is more color variety and more than just 3.0g of product.

xx,

Thea

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FIRST IMPRESSION: YSL Palette Parisian Nite in Rue De Babylone Radiant Blush

YSL Palette Parisian Nite in Rue De Babylone

It's so beautiful!! And it's Asia exclusive for YSL's Holiday 2013 Collection. <3

Where do I begin?! Okay okay. Let me calm down for a bit..

YSL Palette Parisian Nite in Rue De Babylon

This limited edition blush palette features two shades that are cool toned; one is matte, and the inner part (heart) is satin, I believe. While I was engaging a stare down contest with this beauty, the pink heart seemed like an overspray. I'm not ready to dig it up yet, I'll guess I'll find out after a few uses of this. It smells like a dainty perfume, not at all irritating for those of you who are quite sensitive to scents. It is beautifully encased in YSL's signature gold packaging with it's logo imprinted all over the cover. The top part feels like a rubbery sticker. Surprisingly, and quite disappointingly, it didn't come with a black velvet-ish pouch.

YSL Parisian Nite in Rue De Babylone

When I first saw this in Singapore, I was hesitant to get it mainly because of the cool toned blush. But after 2 sleepless nights, I caved. I realized I couldn't pass it up, specially because it's a LE. I'm a sucker.

Don't let the undertone of this blush fool you. It suits my skin well. I have warm undertones and I'm not exactly fair, I'm morena (tanned), but it looks good against my skin and it showed up pretty well. The texture is so fine and felt smooth, easily blends and is buildable.

Blush when worn under natural lighting

Blush when worn under artificial lighting

It looks quite natural on the skin. As I looked at it under a 12x magnifying mirror, you could see specks of shimmer which probably comes from the pink heart. But when looking at it on a normal mirror, you could barely see it, it looks more matte. On the pan, the pink heart looks a bit shimmery. When swatched, it appeared like it's a satin finish.

Left: Inner blush, Right: Outer blush

For longevity, I've yet to test that out. As I'm writing this post, it's been about 3.5 hours since I applied it and I'd say 85% of it is still on. I guess this is where it will fail me.

It's my first time trying out YSL's blush and I've completely fallen in love. I hope such formulation translates throughout their permanent blush line. Though I was hesitant about the shade, I think it was worth the jump (and the splurge). It gave my cheeks a certain glow; it is sweet and girly. Not exactly my type but after seeing it against my skin, I'm starting to like cotton candy pink blushes. I'm so glad I came back for this, and that it was still in stock when I got there. These things usually sell out like pancakes.

YSL Palette Parisian Nite in Rue De Babylone

YSL Palette Parisian Nite in Rue De Babylone

I'm so glad I had the time to put this first impression out before December comes in. I hope this helps you out in deciding whether it's worth it or not. This is me telling you, BUY IT.

xx,

Thea

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