What's in my make-up bag?

Who doesn't love a good 'what's in my make-up bag?' blogpost right? ;)

My daily "go-to" make-up bag filled with touch-up essentials - a worn-out silver faux-leather pouch. I seem to recall have received this for free with purchase of a magazine a very long time ago. I've used the same bag for nearly two years now, and for some reason, never tire of it and have not found anything that beats the efficiency and simplistic design of this bad boy.

Now on to the fun part... the contents.

I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of lip products! But you guys already know the drill - a girl can never have too many lip products! Normally I keep all my lip balms in there, and up to three lip products, including the one I was wearing on the day and a couple others in the same colour family (in case I wanted to switch textures or what not as the day progresses....) The ones I have in there at the moment are either recent purchases or all time favourites.

But nonetheless, the contents (in clockwise order):

• Maybelline Color Sensatonal High Shine lip gloss in 'Electric Shock' - a gorgeous blossom lip shade with decent pigmentation and brilliant shine!
• L'oreal Colour Riche Balm in 'Dragon Fruit' - a bright, almost neon, cool-toned pink with a sheer, glossy finish. These feel lighter than the Revlon Lip Butters (in my opinion) and stain the lips quite nicely. 
• NYX Butter Gloss in 'Apple Strudal' - a light peach-coloured creamy opaque gloss that feels buttery smooth on the lips.
• L'oreal Nutri-balm in 'Nudy Coral' - an adorable sheer light coral that gives a subtle hint of colour to the lips whilst keeping them supple and healthy-looking.
• Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited in 'PK 382S' - an almost transparent peach with ultra fine shimmers - my go-to gloss of all time! 
• L'oreal False Lash Wings Mascara in Waterproof Black - my favourite mascara of the moment
• Nars Creamy Concealer in 'Custard' - medium-full coverage concealer perfect for spot-concealing.
• Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer in #52 - my HG concealer I absolutely swear by (this is my third tube). Has medium coverage, doesn't settle into fine lines and leaves a beautiful and natural finish on the skin! A product that's worth every penny!
• Palgantong mini lip-tint (deep cherry colour) - a GOOD multi-functional tint that blends nicely on the lips as well as cheeks - you know what I'm talking about - the kind of tint that doesn't sink into your lip lines as soon as you put it on or stain your cheeks before you even have time to blend the sucker out!
• Spring Heart Eyelash glue (clear)
• Nivea compact mirror
• Mentholatum Water Colour lip-balm in 'Wild Coral' - a face-brightening coral with decent pigmentation, gives a 'pop' of colour to the lips looking too obnoxious.
• Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Stain in 'Feelin' Rosy' - your standard rosy lip stain in a convenient pen-form. Smells fruity divine and is decently long-lasting. 
• Daiso makeup eraser pen - not effective on waterproof products
• Stila Lip Glaze in 'Rock Candy' (Part of their recent Spring Collection) - sticky, long-lasting plummy gloss with a ton of shimmer and sheer-medium pigmentation! (Also smells fruity and divine) Would work perfectly over a darker lipstick or by itself during the cooler seasons!
• Maxfactor Miracle Touch Blush in 'Soft Pink' - your standard cream blush with a dewy finish; makes you look like your blushing from within. In my go-to pouch because it's so quick and effortless!
• Burt's Bees Lip Shine in 'Smooch' - A moisturising sheer gloss leaving a subtle plum tint and plenty of shine!
• Koji Eyelash Curler #73

Soooooo that officially wraps up my very first "make-up collection" type post. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed making it! :)

Let me know if you've tried any of these products and whether or not you would purchase them again!

With love,
Ethereal♥

Review: NEW L'oreal Paris Nude Magique Eau De Teint

The other day I dropped by my local Priceline and saw this little beauty sitting on the shelves. Due to the new release, there were a limited number of bottles of left. Since I had a member voucher with me, I decided to pick one up and give it a shot.

I've heard much about this product a while back when it first released in the US and every other place but Australia. I was glad they've finally come in stores, however, surprised that the shade selection was so narrow!

The shade I got was in Pure Ivory 120 - the lightest shade available, which baffled me because plenty of girls have lighter skin tones than me! I consider myself a light to medium skin-tone with relatively yellow undertone. Girls who are roughly NC 20-25 will probably find this shade rather fitting.

Swatched on my hand, the colour leans slightly more pink/cool-toned on my hand - which is actually "warmer" or more yellow than my face. The photo was taken with natural lighting and seemed to match my skin very well (well at least on camera).

(swatched)

                                                                        (blended in)

In real life, the product blends in seamlessly and completely adapts to my skin tone albeit swatching slightly off. Loreal claims that this is "feather light foundation, feels as light and fresh as water. Instantly fuses with the skin blending seamlessly to leave a silky, second skin effect." It also contains an SPF of 18 - an essential bonus in today's market. Since the SPF isn't ridiculously high, there's no worrying that it will create a white cast in flash photography!

The foundation itself is very, very light - possibly lighter than mineral or powder foundation! It was no wonder the marketing claims compared it to water. It literally does feel like a second skin. You can barely feel that you have it on.

The downfall of this product is probably it's light coverage - however, buildable to light-medium coverage. It is the cost of having such a lightweight foundation. If you have naturally clear, youthful skin or wouldn't mind using concealer in conjunction with this product, you'll definitely be thrilled by the performance of this foundation. It feels amazing on, has relatively good oil control for a foundation that dries to a satin finish. My face does get oiler throughout the day and requires some blotting. Personally, I have combination skin and prefer moisturising foundations over matte foundations. I think the Loreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint would be most suitable for those with dry to combination skin. I do not feel like this product clings to my dry patches or accentuates my pores, but due to its light coverage, it doesn't mask them either.

Here's the foundation without spot concealing (just under-eye concealing), set with a light layer of powder. I did some touching up on my problem areas, but the end result seems to still lack the coverage required to conceal my acne scarring. If you're trying to achieve the natural look and you're like me and don't mind some imperfections showing through your foundation, you won't be too bothered by the light coverage. (because it feels so great on!)

 My skin after several hours of wear (roughly 4 hrs). I started feeling a little shiny on my T-zone, but nothing a few oil-blotting sheets can't fix! The foundation still looks great but as expected, slightly warn off. It doesn't wear off terribly like some foundations (which transfer horribly) but those with oilier skin should be wary of the oiliness that comes with wearing this foundation, so touch-ups may be required depending on personal preference. 

Overall, I am very impressed with the performance of this foundation, so far! With the claims of a "fresh feel foundation" with "weightless bare perfection" and SPF 18, it's safe to say that this foundation does what it primarily sells to its consumers! Good job L'oreal! You've made a girl a happy camper!

With love,
Ethereal♥