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Showing posts with label cruelty free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cruelty free. Show all posts
I am trying to make it a habit to write up more foundation/base product reviews. Especially because I feel like my skin is on the more difficult side to cover, I feel like it would be more helpful for you all. I'm including wear test photos as well as how well the foundation covers my acne and scarring. So, let's get into my thoughts on the 3INA 3 in 1 foundation.

Before I jump into my thoughts I wanted to include the blurb that is on the box. I'd also like to add that this foundation is paraben free, cruelty free and vegan! On the 3INA website this foundation is one of their best sellers.
Ingredients, (for those whom are wondering):
AQUA (WATER), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, MICA, DIMETHICONE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, METHICONE, SILICA, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZOPHENONE-3, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ASCORBIC , ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, TALC, VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS FRUIT EXTRACT, SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM EXTRACT (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (SUGAR CANE) EXTRACT), SIGESBECKIA ORIENTALIS EXTRACT, RABDOSIA RUBESCENS EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS FRUIT EXTRACT (CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT), CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT (CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT), BHT, ACER SACCHARUM EXTRACT (ACER SACCHARUM (SUGAR MAPLE) EXTRACT). +/- (MAY CONTAIN): CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE).
This is one pump onto my finger. The formula is on the thicker side but don't let this fool you into thinking it feels heavy on the skin.
Now for the fun part: my thoughts and experience.
I applied this foundation at 10:20AM. It gave off a natural finish with medium coverage, when built up to two layers. If you skin is clearer than mine then this foundation could appear to give a fuller coverage.

When the foundation is initially applied to the skin it feels slightly tacky but once it dries this feeling goes away and you do not need to set it with powder. Especially if your skin is on the drier side like mine. Although my skin is dry, it did not emphasise dry patches and it didn't settle too badly into any fine lines (only settled in the eyelid/under eye region).
Once the foundation set I applied cream products to my skin, since that is my new obsession! They all applied well and didn't take off the foundation in any way. The cream products I applied were: Mecca highlight balm, Nudestix matte colour in Bondi Bae and Naughty n Spice.

In terms of the next two updates, there isn't much of a difference between the photos. The 3INA foundation gave my skin a healthy appearance and still did not cling to dryness nor settle in my smile lines. I actually slept in the car for over an hour while wearing this foundation and it didn't even wear off or become patchy.
At the 9/10 hour mark is when you can notice the foundation breaking down. You can tell by the photo that the coverage has decreased and more redness is peaking through than earlier in the day. I normally don't wear foundation this long so this doesn't bother me too much. On the bright side, at this point it still had not clung to my dry patches and barely creased in my smile lines, only slightly.

Overall, for the price I was impressed by this foundation. I do want to test the waterproof claims so I am planning on wearing on wearing it when I go swimming with the dolphins next weekend. I will update you all via my Instagram on how it performs.

I'd recommend this foundation to be worn during the day time as it does contain SPF. If you have dry skin it will sit nicely over it and if you have acne or redness you will need a concealer on the areas you need extra coverage. I would also suggest a 7 hour wear time for this foundation to ensure it stays looking fresh and doesn't break down or wear off in areas. For the price it is a great foundation to check out and try if you can!
For the past two months I have dedicated myself to only wearing powder foundations. There are many benefits but my main reason was that I needed coverage while still letting my skin breathe. I alternated between three, two of which are natural however, all three are cruelty free. The powdery assortment included Nude by Nature, Antipodes and Australis.
The first powder foundation in the arena is one that I have actually used up completely and had to repurchase - Nude by Nature Mineral Cover ($39.95). This foundation provides any coverage you desire. When first applied it gives a sheer undetectable layer which can easily be built up to a medium or even *almost* full coverage.
To apply I used a Dusty Girl's kabuki brush which worked best when packing on the powder and buffing it into the skin. If you have dry patches, like me, then this is the only one I found to cling to them. This could be avoided by using a lot of moisturiser or a hydrating primer. It only clung to my dryness after a few hours of wear so this did not really bother me. In terms of lasting power (and this goes for all three) it lasted fine for 8+ hours and never felt heavy on the skin. This could be because my skin is on the dryer side.

Nude by Nature also came out with more shades for this powder foundation so you should be able to find your match! I currently am using the shade 'beige'.

Next up is *spoiler alert* my favourite of the bunch, the Antipodes Performance Plus Mineral Foundation ($39.95). I have the shade 'medium beige' in this and it is too dark for me to use at the moment. If I use my gradual tanner (by Uni Organics) twice then this matches me!!
This is the powder foundation that instantly gives you a medium to full coverage. I can build this up (again with a kabuki brush, this is my favourite way to apply them) to an extreme full coverage. The other two allow a bit of my scarring to peak through but not this one. It completely takes over any liquid foundation I own and is perfect for daily use as it is natural and has SPF. Lastly, this foundation really does give a flawless and skin-like appearance as it never enhances any dryness and barely creases in my smile lines.

Last but not least is the ever so popular, Australis Fresh and Flawless powder in 'deep natural' ($12.95). This powder foundation is not loose like the other two and I believe its main intention is to be used over liquid foundation to boost the coverage. If you do want a "full coverage setting powder" (MAC powder dupe) then this will also work amazingly for that.
In saying that, it can be used alone and again built up to a medium/almost full coverage. To apply this one I prefer to use a flat top brush (similar to this) to really press into the skin and pack on the coverage. I don't find this one to cling to any dry patches, unless my skin is super dry and everything would cling to it anyway. This powder, unlike the previous two doesn't have SPF so it is the best option if you wanted to purchase a powder foundation that will look good in flash photography.

Overall I have been loving reaching for my powder foundation over liquids. I have found that my skin is looking and feeling better because I'm using less layers yet achieving my desired coverage. If you have dry skin don't avoid powder foundations because there are a lot out there and they all aren't drying. The one that gives my skin the most matte finish is the Australis option so if your skin is on the oily side that would probably be best. Although any three could work for any skin type as you can always play around with skin prep and primers. I hope you found this review helpful and I challenge you to put the liquid away and use powders too! Let me know how it works out if you do or leave a comment if you have ever tried any of these three powders before 😄
I feel like there are always hidden gems in every store and in Priceline there is no exception. I was browsing the shelves for a new cruelty free foundation and came across a very affordable one by Savvy. I wasn't able to find any reviews and never hear anyone talking about this brand so I thought I'd take a chance and purchase it.
Savvy only offer two foundations in their range. The one I opted for is their Perfect Base Liquid Foundation ($8.99 AUD). The only information I could find on this foundation are the claims Priceline have to offer:
"A buildable medium coverage liquid foundation that's easy to blend creating a smooth and natural finish. Perfect for day and night, this foundation is truly the perfect base!"

Also, here is what the back of the bottle has to say + ingredients:
What made my purchase this foundation is number 1, the packaging. It reminds me a lot of the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless (I think that's what it's called?) foundation. I know that Nars foundation wouldn't work with my dryer skin type so I thought $9 is a lot more easier on the wallet if it doesn't work out. Second reason was the claims of a medium and natural finish. I have a lot of acne scarring but I am starting to lessen up the coverage lately and I also prefer a natural finish - dewy enhances my pimples and matte is just wayyyy too drying. Last but not least was the price point, I mean if this became my holy grail foundation I would be more than happy to go and repurchase it!

Shades
I wanted to get the biggest negative out of the way now. This foundation only comes in a variety of 6 shades. The lightest shade is not very light and the deepest shade isn't very deep. In saying this I don't think my Priceline had the lightest shade, Ivory, in stock. However, looking online it looks to be pink toned. I purchased the shade Fresh Beige which has a golden/orange undertone. It suits me perfectly during summer however is too dark for my winter skin tone. This can be fixed by mixing it with another (lighter) foundation such as the NYX total control drops (review here) or I could add a thin layer of fake tan.

I will add in an unedited image of the shade - Fresh Beige - the only editing was whitening the background so it would look more cohesive when posted to my Instagram or blog. The photo was taken with no flash in natural day light.

Review
Straight away I can agree with the natural finish and medium coverage claims. Although, to achieve a medium coverage I'd recommend you apply the foundation using a dense brush. You can really sheer this foundation out depending on how you apply it but if you do have problem areas it can be built up to a medium coverage. To classify as full coverage you would need to either use a lot of product or go in with a concealer, which is the easier alternative.

The finish is very skin-like, it is not drying whatsoever and isn't overly dewy. It sits very nicely on my skin and I don't find that I need to powder, although if I do it does take away some of the dewy look. If you have oily skin I would suggest a mattifying primer and powder to pair with the foundation.

In terms of creasing it does do it. It isn't as if the actual product settles into my lines making it look horrible, more so that my face looks naturally creased, mainly in my forehead because I make a lot of expressions and it doesn't really settle in smile lines at all. If that makes any sense? Since you cannot tell you are even wearing the foundation the "creases" look natural, not cakey or dry. Hopefully that makes some sense but this is only noticeable close up and you can always gently smooth the "creaseable" areas on your face with your finger.
I am able to wear this foundation for hours, even beyond 6 without it going cakey or fading. Usually foundations would start to look drying on my face however this one gives me the complete opposite, a nice natural glow.

Lastly, the foundation does not claim to have any SPF but does have titanium dioxide as an ingredient, this can cause a white cast in photos. I would mainly recommend this foundation for day-time use to be safe, also because it is very natural looking!

If you are able to find your shade I definitely suggest this foundation. For the price it works wonders and whenever I use it up I will jump at the opportunity to repurchase it. I am a little disappointed about the coverage however it doesn't claim to be full so this is my skin's fault not the foundations. If you don't have a lot of scarring (like me) then this would be the perfect amount of coverage. It honestly feels good on the skin, very comfortable and not tacky. I will be trying out a lot more from Savvy and get more reviews up for you all because I feel like no one ever mentions them!
Although NYX Cosmetics is my favourite brand I had never tried any of their foundations so I was very eager to test out these drops.
The Total Control Drop foundation has a silky smooth matte finish and the dropper provides easy and efficient use. This foundation is designed to allow the user to alter the coverage to suit their own needs. 1-2 drops provides a light coverage, 3 provides medium and 4 onwards is said to offer full coverage. NYX's new foundation, which is very popular on Youtube from what I have seen, comes in 24 shades (US) however based off the Australian press release sheet I have we only have a variety of 9 shades ranging from fair to dark.
Swatches of NYX Total Control Drop Foundation on NARS 'Santa Fe' skin tone

A brief overview of the 9 options:
I have three shades in my collection, the swatches are above, and I put a star next to which ones they are in the list. The remaining shades will simply be listed below.
Fair - 1 shade 'Porcelain'
Light - 4 shades 'Light, Vanilla*, Natural, True Beige'
Medium - 2 shades 'Buff*, Beige'
Tan - 1 shade 'Golden*'
Dark - 1 shade 'Mocha'
Swatches on mum's skin tone (Australis powder in deep brown)

The foundation hits stores this month and retails for $24.95. NYX recommend you purchase their brush, specifically designed for this foundation, which is sold separately and costs and additional $24.95. If you have any angled or compact brush then i'm sure it would work the same.
Now onto my review of the product. Usually when I test out foundation I check in every few hours to see how its holding up but to be honest every time I wore this foundation I forgot it was on. So in this review you will only notice I make note of when it is first applied and at the very end of the day.

11AM: I mixed the shades light (1 drop) with buff (3-4 drops) per layer. I did have to do two layers, so a total of 8/9 drops to get a medium coverage. I have a lot of scarring so its normally hard to cover them completely. I felt very comfortable and impressed with the coverage it gave and if you have less imperfections you would not need as many drops as I used for a fuller coverage. The foundation layered nicely, looked like skin (slightly dewy once applied) and felt very light weight. Once it had dried it had a velvet skin-like appearance and no tackiness whatsoever. I didn't need to set it with powder, which is something I love not having to do!!
10 hours later: The foundation did not cling to any of my dry patches, didn't settle in any fine lines despite it claiming to have a "matte" finish, nor did it fade. Around the 6 hour mark it ever so slightly settles into one smile line but this was only noticeable when I looked with my magnifying mirror. Once I smoothed it out with my finger it didn't happen again.

Overall it's safe to say I was very impressed and blown away with this foundation. I have mixed it with other foundations to lighten them and it has worked well, especially because the shade light is extra pale for my skin tone. Ensure you shake the bottle every time before use and then it will blend like a dream while easily being able to be built up to your desired coverage. If you have normal or dry skin I 100% recommend you try this foundation! I believe it would work for oilier skin types but I think you'd need a matifying primer as I noticed my forehead to be dewy at the 9 hour mark. NYX Cosmetics are really stepping up their game with these releases and this foundation gets a 10/10 from me!!
Lashes, lashes and more lashes. False lashes, lash extensions and lash lifts seem to be all the rage but we can't neglect fibre lashes. If you don't want to pay for more "permanent" options such as a lift and extensions or you struggle with applying false lashes (GUILTY) then brush on fiber lashes may be for you.
Brush on fiber lashes is a very simple process for you to get dramatic lashes in the comfort of your own home, minus the mess of lash glue. There are a range of fiber mascaras on the market however being cruelty free I have found the perfect option for you all.

The product I have to share with you all today is the Cherry Blossoms Eyelash Extensions Brush on Fiber Lashes. This brush on fiber lashes set is very easy to use as its three simple steps and only two tubes. First you apply the transplanting gel, apply the fibers and then seal the fibers with the same transplanting gel tube.
I wore this mascara the day I went to the tennis. It was a 36 degree day, I was sweaty and in the sun. This product claims to look fresh and not flake off as well as being water-resistant and sweat-proof. Based off my images below you will be able to notice little difference between when I first applied the lashes and after 9 hours of wear in the heat.

Throughout the day/night there was little fiber fallout however you had to look very closely to see them. Another issue I usually get with your "typical" mascaras is smudging and transfer, which thankfully did not happen with this one.


Compared to a normal mascara my lashes did feel a little heavier than usual however I soon got used to this feeling and was not aware of it afterwards. Additionally, I feel as though it adds more volume rather than length to your lashes. My bare lashes are probably not the best example as they are blonde however they are pretty long naturally so this only added slightly more length.



Something you may be thinking is if the fibers fall into or irritate eyes. I have very sensitive eyes that pretty much water regardless of what I put on them. Hence why my mascara smudges, but this mascara not only did not budge it also didn't irritate my eyes whatsoever. If you properly seal the fibers you will have very little fallout to begin with.



I found the entire application simple and time efficient since I pretty much spend a while doing mascara anyway and the removal was just as easy. Use any oil based makeup remover or coconut oil and it will come straight off!

If you don't want to fiddle with lash glue or lash bands then this is the perfect at home option for thick, "false" (in a good way) looking lashes.

Disclaimer - This product was sent to me for the purpose of this review however all opinions are 100% honest and based off my own experience. I only work with companies I would personally support or purchase from myself. For more information click here - disclaimer
I love Too Faced Cosmetics and I definitely need more of their products in my makeup collection. This week I am sharing my very small but loved collection with you all as well as letting you know which products are my favourite.


My first ever Too Faced purchase was all because of KathleenLights - she started my obsession with the brand. It was one of their La Creme Colour Drenched Lipsticks in the shade Naked Dolly. This is a very creamy nude lipstick with a glossy finish. If I have chapped lips this lipstick will emphasise it so exfoliating is important. I love the smell and look of this lipstick but because of the finish and due to my lips usually being on the dryer side I don't really reach for it regularly.


Next up is their Natural Eyes eye shadow palette. This was the second eye shadow palette I have ever owned and I purchased it while I was in Rome. It comes with a lot of good memories and is a very well loved palette. This is definitely my favourite item I own from the brand. This palette is compact and has every shade I will need for a night out of subtle day look. Whenever I travel this is the palette I take away with me because it is so versatile and blends well.


My third purchase was a Melted Lipstick in the shade Chihuahua. Out of the two lip products I own I reach for this one more, I have even got my mum onto it. It has a creamy/satin finish once dried down and excess product has been blotted away (I do this to prevent it from going on my teeth) and is very long-lasting. Again, like all Too Faced packaging it is amazing and looks good displayed on my makeup table, but not only do I like it for that but I really like the concept of how you apply it. This is another winner for me!


When my mum was over in Bali she visited the new Sephora and picked up the Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer for me. I had wanted this product ever since it came out mostly because of its scent, packaging and it being matte. This bronzer works well to bronze up the skin and contour because it isn't too warm toned. It blends easily and you need it in your life pretty much.


Lastly is my sample size of their Shadow Insurance eyeshadow primer thanks to BeautyLoop. I had tried a small sample of this before and it really helped my shadows last all night without fading or creasing. Unfortunately concealer and powder doesn't cut it for my eyelids so I have to use a primer. I was going to purchase this on my own but now I have a generous sample to use. When i'm out I'll definitely purchase it!

That is my very small Too Faced collection which needs to expand so comment your favourites that I need to try out below or on my Instagram!
The average person would not spend endless amounts of money on makeup or would own drawers full of it (I am guilty of this lol). So this post is for those of you who are on a budget and are looking to either delve into makeup or get a few staple products you can use daily. These are the products that I think you would really need if you are just starting out or even looking to expand your collection while on a budget.
1. BB/CC Cream
I feel like this is a staple in a makeup collection, perfect to wear to school too. Everyone needs some sort of base and there are so many affordable options to suit your concerns and preferences.
Some products I recommend are:

  • Chi Chi Cosmetics CC Cream - it is lightweight, has a dewy finish and is buildable. This product also has SPF within in. For those who are wondering CC stands for Colour Correcting so this product is best for people with redness as it helps to counteract it and disguise it.
  • Chi Chi Cosmetics BB Cream - I have not tried this one myself but I have heard great things. BB stands for beauty balm and is similar to a tinted moisturiser however it provides more coverage. This also contains SPF and is good for daily wear as it isn't as heavy as a full on foundation.
Ever since going cruelty free I have not found a foundation that works well for me so I will be excluding that in this post. I will however give one non-cruelty free option for those who aren't fussed. If you want an affordable foundation that works just as well as an expensive one have a look at the Bourjois foundations, they're never cakey and there are different types aimed at various skin types and finishes.
2. Powder
  • Face of Australia translucent powder - provides no coverage but sets your makeup
  • Australis Fresh & Flawless powder - adds coverage without being cakey. Can also be used on its own for a light coverage.
3. Mascara
Essence make the best I have tried. They make a variety of mascaras so it depends on what you are looking for. There are mascaras to add volume or length etc. 

4. Eyeshadow
Hands down Chi Chi eyeshadows are the best affordable shadows that I have ever tried. They have a massive range of cool tones, warm tones and even colour.
5. Brows
NYX eyebrow cake powder! There's heaps of shades to suit your brows.

6. Lip products
  • NYX soft matte lip creams - semi matte "liquid" lipsticks that aren't drying at all
  • Chi Chi lipsticks - come in different shades and different finishes
  • 3ina - a new store has opened up in Melbourne Central and their liquid lipsticks is one of the best formulas I have ever tried!
7. Contour, Highlight & Blush
  • ELF Cosmetics - contour/blush kits
  • Chi Chi Cosmetics baked eyeshadow in 'Call Me' - makes an amazing highlight
  • Sleek Cosmetics

Honourable mention - Colourpop Cosmetics
An online only brand however their products are very affordable and come in a variety of shades/finishes.
Comment your favourite affordable products below, I'd love to check them out!
For the past week my boyfriend and I have been putting a few White Glo products to the test. Read on to see our results and thoughts on the products!
A PR company kindly reached out to me to trial a few products from the company White Glo. When I told my boyfriend about it he wanted it for himself, so I decided to share the products with him and include him in my review this week. Since he really wanted to whiten his teeth but didn't want to sit around with things on his teeth I let him have the two toothpastes, one being the Power Brush Toothpaste, while I used and alternated between the Whitening pen, Whitening strips and the Advanced Teeth Whitening System (excluding the toothpaste). The results are exactly one week of use and we both used the products every day for a week (#relationshipgoals lol).

A little about White Glo as a company - they are an Australian cruelty free company who were initially for actors and models. They now sell their products to the general public so we can all have whiter teeth in the comfort of our own home. Their products are designed to "transform aging, yellowing teeth into pearly whites."

Before I jump into my results on the actual "teeth whitening" products I wanted to quickly mention their power brush toothpaste ($6.99).
This toothpaste is specifically designed for electric toothbrushes as it works with the high speed movement resulting in a whiter and brighter smile. I don't have an electric tooth brush so I personally didn't put this one to the test however my boyfriend was able to. He said it made his teeth brighter and left a fresh feeling.

Next up is the first product I tried out - their Whitening Pen and Whitening Strips ($19.99).

This box contains one whitening pen (2.5ml) and 7x upper and 7x lower whitening strips. It recommends you use the pen 2-3 times a day for the best results and you leave the gel on for 10-30 minutes. During this time you cannot eat or drink and after the time has passed you rinse your mouth with water. I tried to do it three times a day however most days it was only applied twice. As for the strips, those are also recommended to use once a day for 7 days.

I found the pen to be very handy and my product of choice when whitening my teeth. It is as simple as twisting the bottom and "drawing" the gel onto your teeth. It leaves a sort of minty taste in your mouth and is not noticeable whatsoever (unlike the strips). This pen is designed for touch ups so it didn't make them 5 shades brighter however I did notice as the days went on that my teeth were less of a yellow tinge.

As for the strips I only used them a few times. I found them to make my bottom teeth sensitive every time I used them. I think the reason for this is because I have a metal bar along the back of my bottom (to keep them straight). The strips are folded over to the back of your teeth to keep them in place and I don't think it worked too well with my bar there. I do know that if you have braces these products are not recommended for you so maybe if you have the bar at the back too maybe steer clear. In saying that, these made more of a difference with whitening my teeth than the pen did. I had no issues on my top teeth and the results were obvious enough for other people to notice my teeth were whiter.

Last but not least is probably the box set you are all most looking forward to. The Advanced Teeth Whitening System ($19.99).
This system helps provide long lasting results as it claims to "lift stains and remove yellowing from the enamel safely without abrasion." The treatment time for this is 5-15 minutes and it recommends you use it daily for one week. The pack also contains a daily maintenance toothpaste which will help enhance your results, this was given to my boyfriend to try so I had to stick to my regular toothpaste. Out of all the teeth whitening products this one claims to give you long-term results rather than instant. You will see the difference it made in just one week of use in the photo below.

My boyfriend did start out using this but he found it a little uncomfortable as he wasn't used to having a plate in his mouth so I had to take over and use it instead. I have had braces and sleep with a plate every night so this did not bother me at all. I suppose if you aren't used to it you would just need to get used to it. I only used this for 4 out of the 7 days but as you will see there is still a significant difference within the 7 days.

Results

I've never whitened my teeth before so this was all very exciting for me. I enjoyed the process and it felt like I was pampering myself whenever I did it. Even though my teeth weren't that yellow to begin with I am still impressed with the results and can definitely tell they are brighter and whiter. Out of all products I definitely recommend the pen as that was the most practical and my favourite.

I hope this review was helpful, especially if you're looking into whitening your teeth at home rather than spending $$$ at the dentist. I will mention that if you already have sensitive teeth then teeth whitening may not be for you all together as it did make my teeth a little sensitive. I will include links below if you are interested in checking out White Glo's website or Instagram page for more information about their products.

Details
Website
Instagram

Disclaimer - These product were sent to me for the purpose of this review however all opinions are 100% honest and based off my own experience. For more information click here - disclaimer
Cruelty free makeup that is not only affordable but amazing quality? Yes please! NYX Cosmetics is one of my all time favourite brands and over the past years I have used and loved many products. This weeks post is dedicated to the best NYX products (in my opinion)!
My ultimate favourite and first ever product I owned is their Eyebrow Cake Powder. I've purchased this powder in numerous shades and I've even hit pan! This product beats pomades and pencils as it is easy to apply, lasts all day and helps me achieve a natural look for my sparse brows.

Next up is definitely their lip products. If I could only choose 3 (although I love them all) I'd recommend you try their Soft Matte Lip Creams, Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick and their Butter Glosses. The SMLC come in a variety of shades which are easy to apply and comfortable to wear throughout the day. They aren't drying like a liquid lipstick but do become more matte throughout the day. Their Butter Glosses and Liquid Suedes are both new favourites for me. I hate a sticky thick gloss but these offer the right amount of pigment while feeling "buttery" smooth on the lips. The liquid suede has more of a satin finish but if you blot it then its definitely more matte. It lasts through meals (as long as they aren't very oily) and never drying! I do wish they had more lighter nude shades in this formula.

I am blessed (not) with dark undereyes and redness on my face so NYX correctors come in handy. I've always wanted to try their colour correcting palettes however their Above & Beyond Full Coverage Concealer in yellow and Dark Circle Concealer work very well for me. The full coverage concealer is more of a thick and drying consistency whereas the dark circle concealer is a lot more creamier. Both subtly correct discolouration and can be built up. I always apply these under foundation/concealer when I want a more flawless complexion.

NYX have a large range of primers but my favourite is definitely their  Pore Filler primer. It has been said to be a dupe for Benefits Porefessional at a much lower price point. I find that this primer works really well at evening out texture or dry patches, I'd assume it works equally as well at filling pores however they are not an issue for me.

Last but not least is the HD blush. This is very pigmented so make sure you don't pack the product on your brush! In saying that it lasts all day without wearing off and is easy to blend. It is just as good as my Nars or Tarte blushes!! Definitely need more of these to start up a collection.

Comment your favourite products from NYX below!
Often people find their cheek products to wear off after 5 or so hours of wear so I decided to put the Colourpop highlighter in Lunch Money to the test. Their highlighters retail for $8 USD and this one in particular is described as a "soft light gold with a reflective duo chrome finish."

Consistency
Like Colourpop's shadows their highlighters also have a strange yet amusing consistency. It is very bouncy, soft and mousse/cream-like yet it has a powdery finish. Ensure to close the lid tightly otherwise it can dry up.

Application
Fingertips work the best in my opinion. You can sheer out the highlight or build it up to the intensity you desire. Their site also recommend using synthetic or duo fiber brushes however I find when using brushes it takes my foundation off and goes really patchy. To be safe I always opt for fingertips but I do feel like it is a little difficult to apply.

Swatches
Colourpop Lunch Money
My opinion

For an affordable (despite the horrible shipping that makes it not so affordable when buying one or two products) it is a good highlight. I have worn this product for 7 hours and it was still completely visible on my cheek bones. I love how you can customise the intensity to suit your preferences by building it up or blending it out. They offer a variety of shades to suit all skin tones plus Colourpop now ships worldwide so everyone can get their hands on it!

The only negative I have found other than applying it with a brush is that after 6 or so hours it starts to break up on the tip of my nose. Not only does it do this but I also find powder or liquid highlighters to be a lot easier to apply than this formula.

Personally I never see myself purchasing another one and if you prefer applying highlighter with a brush or using powders then this product is a BYE. However, if you are on a budget and tend to use your fingertips anyway then this product is definitely a BUY! For the price point and quality you cannot go wrong. I feel like it really depends on your preferences when it comes to this product so it is up to you whether it is a buy or buy.

If you own any Colourpop highlighters or products in general let me know what your favourites are in the comments!