essence cosmetics Quattro Eyeshadow Quad - 12 Purple Day* | Review and Swatches

essence cosmetics and Catrice cosmetics Warehouse Sale (November 2013) Details

Everybody loves the weekend, but this weekend you can add a little extra excitement to your day by heading over to both the essence and Catrice cosmetics private warehouse sales - the last chance to buy products from old collections you couldn't find or missed out on!

The above graphic is for the essence section but the same rules apply for the Catrice sale where you will be able to find products from the Cucuba, Hip Trip and Candy Shock LE collections and much more.

Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut.

Remember: Cash and NETS only

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Are you guys going to go? I am and I'm very excited!

FOTD: Subtle Purple Smokey Eye

Catrice Cosmetics Absolute Eye Colour Quad - 080 Yellow Sumbagreen | Review and Swatches

Catrice Cosmetics Yellow Submagreen (080) Absolute Eye Colour Quad (S$8.90 for 1.5g/0.05 oz) is one of the first products that I have tried from Catrice since they arrived in Singapore a while back. From the very first time that I used it, it has skyrocketed into my favourite palettes of all time and I cannot wait to share this with you and purchase more in the future!

I got this around the summer time but I think that the shadows are more suited towards this time of year personally, and the little pop of colour can help brighten your more autumnal colour combinations.

If you haven't already seen my FOTD Chartreuse Smokey Eye using this palette then you can see it here.

The first thing I noticed about the quad was the packaging. Very sleek, compact and professional looking. It has a magnetic closure so it closes very securely which is ideal for travel. Also since it's clear you can see what shades are in the quad if you have multiple ones in your collection.

The texture of the shades are extremely comparable to Urban Decay shadows, both very soft and velvety. The four shades in this palette can lean either cool or warm depending on which shades you use. I find the top two lean warm, whereas the bottom two lean more cool. Creating an overall neutral toned look.

Another thing I like is, hypothetically when using this palette the darkest shade (Shade 4) would be the most pigmented and used only in the crease and/or smudged along bottom lash line – therefore it makes sense to have only a small amount of the darkest shade and a larger amount of the lid shades (Shade 2 and 3) since you will use them more often. Very sensible and thoughtful.

Shade 1 is a chartreuse yellow shimmer with silver/blue pearlescence.

Shade 2 is an olive green shimmer with red/gold and copper shimmers.

Shade 3 is a light grey shimmer with yellow and silver fine glitters.

Shade 4 is a deep matte brown with silver shimmers.

The shadows were swatched over NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk using a flat shader brush from Sigma. I don't think the Shades 2, 3 and 4 particularly need a white base underneath because they are very pigmented. Shade 1, although pigmented doesn't appear as it does in the pan without a base behind to help it. (I've tried both with and without).

The shades are easy to blend without creating a muddy look. Great staying power also, stayed on all day (and embarrassingly I admit this), they also looked fabulous after I exercised wearing them, oops!

For the price-point I would definitely recommend this eyeshadow quad, in fact I would think these were high-end shadows if I didn't know better.

I purchased mine from Guardian at NEX@Serangoon Mall, if you want to know what Guardian stores sell Catrice Cosmetics, click here.

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Have you tried any eyeshadows from Catrice? Let me know below!

Thanks for stopping by, don't forget to follow me on bloglovin' and I'll see you next time!

FOTD: Chartreuse Smokey Eye using Catrice Subma-green Quad

Review and Swatches of Catrice Subma Green Quad will be up this coming Wednesday!

Face:
AVON Magix Face Perfector Primer, Maybelline Pure. Erase Mineral Healthy Eraser Foundation in OC 1 (Review), Maybelline Healthy Mineral Concealer, e.l.f. Complexion Perfection Powder

Brows:
Silkygirl Natural Brow Pencil in 02 Dark Brown

Eyes:
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk,
Catrice Subma Green Eyeshadow Quad - Shade 1 inner section of lid, Shade 2 remaining part of lid, Shade 3 to blend where the two previous shades meet, Shade 4 into crease to darken.

Urban Decay Naked Basics - Shade W.O.S for transition and blending harsh edges

Model Co. Pencil Eyeliner on tightline
essence long-lasting eyeliner in Think Khaki, bottom lash line
essence 2-in-1 mascara

Cheeks:
NYX Cream Blush in Natural , essence New League Bronzer

Lips:
essence lip liner #11 In The Nude, MAC Innocence Beware Lipstick, Korres Lip Butter in Plum

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Do you own any chartreuse shadows? Let me know in the comments below!

essence cosmetics All in 1 BB Cream in 02 Natural Review and Swatches*

Overview of Product

The essence All-in-One BB Cream is a beauty balm specifically created for Asian skin tones (I'm obviously not Asian – I do however have yellow undertones like Asian women have).

The BB Cream comes in 3 shades: 01 Universal, 02 Natural and 03 Medium

The shade that I have is 02 Natural.

Packaging

The product comes in a tube with a twist off cap. I like the fact that the packaging is malleable so I can squeeze every last drop of product out. However, I dislike the fact that around the opening can get a bit messy and built up with product. I love that the packaging has a sort of ombre effect, getting darker as it gets towards the lid and the product can actually stand up by itself without falling over.

The product claims to:

• “be used for moisturising care, as a foundation or as a make-up base.
• Free of oil and perfume,
• provides intense moisture and covers impurities without blocking the pores
• protects skin from the sun and helps to maintain a glowing complexion for a smooth, radiant and flawless look.” (essence.eu)
  
  

First Impressions

When I first tested the shade on my hand I thought that there was no way it was going to match me because it was a couple of shades darker than my skin, as you can see from the photo. However after blending it in it actually matches me perfectly, so maybe if you are looking at these in the store you should test it out on your jawline and see how it blends for you – you may be surprised.

I had actually looked at this product when I was in Watsons one day picking up some things and there was one specific reason why I didn't pick it up. It smells funky. One thing that essence has going for them is that their products smell amaazing! This BB Cream smells like sweaty towels or something like that. I presumed the one in the store just smelt like that because it is under fluorescent lights all day you know? But the product I received also smells like it.

Application/Wear

I've been applying the BB Cream with the Real Techniques Stipple Brush because I just prefer it over using my fingers because you can really blend the product in with it. It blends nicely and smoothly, and I would say it has a medium coverage and medium thickness. It's not runny but also is not as thick as something like Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation. It leaves an almost dewy look to the skin but I always set it with powder because I just prefer it as it leaves the skin slightly tacky, probably due to the SPF. Therefore I can't say if you would look oily towards the end of the day without powder, but with powder I didn't notice any grease build up.

Extra Pros and Cons

Pros

• No mineral oils so it won't clog pores
• Good packaging for travelling, you don't have to worry about a glass bottle shattering in your case
• Easy to clean excess product that builds up on the nozzle
• Has SPF 30
• A lot of product for price

Cons

• Won't suit pink tones
• Dispenser can get a bit messy
• Smell
• Not a huge shade selection

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The essence All in 1 BB Cream retails for S$7.90 (30mL) at selected Watsons stores.

To find the closest store to you that sells essence, check out my post about Where I Can Find essence cosmetics in Singapore?

Have you tried this BB Cream? If so, what do you think about it? If not, what drugstore BB Creams do you like? Would you like to see a FOTD with this product? Let me know in the comments below! 

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Thanks for stopping by, don't forget to follow me on bloglovin' if you haven't already and I'll see you next time!

*Product was provided for my honest review purposes

FOTD: Simple Eyes and Red Lip

I've been playing around with my makeup recently because I'm deciding what products I want to bring with me to England, the rest will be shipped so I won't get them for about 4-6 weeks!

So I'm going to be doing regular FOTD posts, because they are easy to do between reviews. If you want a tutorial of any look let me know and also reviews of any products mentioned.

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Face: essence UV Base in Colour Control*, too cool for school After School BB Cream Lunch Box in Silky Skin, Maybelline Shine Free Cake Powder in Light

Cheeks: MAC Well Dressed Powder Blush, Catrice Candy Shock Multicolour Highlighter in Vanilla Love.

Brows: Cyber Colours Brow Pencil in Gray Brown

Eyes: AVON Supershock Pencil Gel Liner in Black (tightline), MAC Bare Study Paint Pot, Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette in W.O.S all over lid and Naked 2 in crease, essence liquid waterproof eyeliner*, e.l.f. lash curlers and Maybelline the Magnum Ultra Comb Mascara, Maybelline Eye Studio 2-in-1 Impact Shadow Liner in Pearl (waterline).

Lips: essence lip liner in Red Blush, MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick (applied using Real Techniques Detailer Brush)

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What is your go to eye look when wearing a bold lip? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping , don't forget to follow if you're not already and I'll see you next time.

essence cosmetics Lipstick in #64 Flirty Pink Review and Swatches*

Flirty Pink is a mid-toned rosy pink shade packed with silver shimmers. Don't be afraid of the shimmers, they are present on the lips but they do not add any texture or grit to the lip, just dimensions.

The packaging is the same colour as the actual lipstick inside making it easy for you to find it within your bag or makeup drawer.

The scent of this lipstick – like all lipsticks in the range – is a lovely fruity, creamy scent which is one of the things I love most about the ones that I have in my collection.

Without Lipsticks

With Lipstick

The texture is smooth, now I'm not going to lie to you guys...I don't get very much wear out of these lipsticks, in my opinion they are similar in consistency to a lip balm – just with more colour. They do last longer over the top of a lip liner because they can adhere to that but by themselves you will have to reapply after eating and drinking. They are very similar like I said, to a lip balm but with a sheen of a lip gloss. (a moisturising one at that).

This particular shade is perfect for the autumn/winter months and unlike some other shades I have from the range, is actually extremely build-able for if you want a darker colour.

Essence lipsticks are available in 16 shades for $4.50 (4g) at selected Watsons stores. To find the closest store to you, check out my post on Where Can I Find essence in Singapore?

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Have you tried any of the essence lipsticks? If so, what shades do you recommend? If not, which shades would you like to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping , don't forget to follow if you're not already and I'll see you next time.

*This product was sent to me for my honest review purposes