Challenges

This section of the Blog is where I show options or loosely termed “dupes” or alternatives to higher-priced products. Whether a product is a good “dupe” or whether it is deemed a budget buy depends on an individual’s budget. This will be updated as I go along, and as I come across products that may do a similar job for a smaller price tag.

Talika Lipocils Expert and L’Oreal Renewal Lash Serum Compared

April 27, 2010 Paris B 20 Comments

Since sharing my experiences with these lash serums, I’ve had quite a few emails and queries about both these new eyelash serums that have just been launched in the Malaysian markets. I’ve also got quite a few requests asking me to compare them.

Talika Lipocils Expert and L'Oreal Renewal Lash Serum

Actually, if you put my Talika Lipocils Expert review and the L’Oreal Renewal Lash Serum review side by side, you might realize that I just did compare them 🙂 One was tested on my right eye and one on my left. My thoughts in both reviews mirror each other.

If you ask me to pit them head to head, I’d say its like comparing an LV bag with a say, Bonia bag. They are both bags, they both hold your necessities and depending on your tastes, both look good enough. But one costs more than the other and its a matter of which you and your wallet prefer 🙂

In terms of the lash serums, I actually find that one works better than the other for me but results will vary from person to person.

I will say a little about each in terms of texture and efficacy below.

Did Silica Powder cause Nicole Kidman’s makeup malfunction?

December 28, 2009 Paris B 13 Comments

Recapping Nicole Kidman’s makeup malfunction recently, Connie had pointed out that it might have been a makeup artist who had too much silica powder on the brain.

It was an intriguing thought, so I decided to run a little experiment to see if I could dupe the makeup malfunction 😀 My silica powder is contained in the Laura Mercier Secret Concealing powder thingy which I will review a little further on. I picked this up due to the hype and hey! It contains silica, among others.

So, what I did was pile on the silica powder and then take a picture with and without flash. You can see the results below. Careful – large pics ahead!

Review: Dior Diorskin Poudre Shimmer All over Face Powder – 001 Rose Diamond

October 5, 2009 Paris B 20 Comments

The Diorskin Poudre Shimmer Ultra Shimmering All Over Face Powder is a mouthful! It is also an item I’d been wanting for a long long time. When I first wanted it, it was RM125 and now, dammit! Its RM145! 😛

diorskin poudre shimmer rose diamond

But bought it I did recently (with a RM20 voucher so I still got it for RM125 ha! ) and I’m (almost) ready to say goodbye to my MAC Porcelain Pink MSF 😛 I’m still not super wow-ed by Dior’s eyeshadows but their face and lip products always get me raving.

The DiorSkin shimmer powder is a really nice product if you want a touch of highlight on your skin without obvious shimmer. Unlike the MAC mineralize skin finish, you don’t get glitter on your skin.

Mine is 001 Rose Diamond a light rose-pink highlighter shade. The lovely lady at the Dior counter at Robinsons The Gardens tested it on me and we agreed that it was the best shade for me. There are another 3 shades available but those tend towards being slightly brown.
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Banish the Panda with Undereye Concealers – Whats your fave?

July 21, 2009 Paris B 66 Comments

I am in dire need of undereye concealing this morning. I was at the Manchester United vs Malaysia re-match last night and got home really late! Anyone who had seen me would have found it strange – I don’t watch football as a rule and I’m a fan of neither team (so don’t come after me Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal fans!)! Still it was great fun sitting in a sea of red and standing out conspicuously in white! Haha… I’m neutral 😀

Reader Vivian also left a comment on a previous post about flawless makeup on the very topic of undereye concealers:-

Hi ParisB, nice painting

I’m still searching for a concealer which work for me, I have quite severe dark eye circle/eye bag. Can you recommend or tell which is the best concealer so far with full coverage?

Thanks parisb.

Undereye Concealer is something I’ve learnt that I can’t live without. I don’t have chronic dark circles under my eyes but I have a bad habit of reading till late so I wake up with shadows under my eyes. Undereye concealer makes me look more awake – and perhaps inspires confidence in others too if you have to meet people at work! Haha…

I presently have 4 under eye concealers in rotation and I think they are all pretty decent stuff so it was a good idea to showcase them all together. They are listed in order of coverage.

Lancome Effacernes Long Lasting Softening Concealer SPF12

Lancome effacernes concealer

A recent discovery and a new love. I picked it up during the last L’oreal warehouse sale for RM60 which I thought was pretty pricey at the time. It usually retails for RM121 for 15ml. The tube is short and squat and you only need very little.

I use Beige Pastel the lightest shade which has very slight pink tones. Its a little thick in texture so what I do is squeeze out a tiny drop on the back of my hand and warm it up with my fingers, then pat it on the under eye area. I find that it covers up my shadows nicely and evenly, does not sink into any lines and once dusted with a touch of loose powder lasts me the whole day and then some! It dries to a slightly matte powdery finish which I like. If you can find a color match in this line, its worth taking a look. 15ml will last me… well… forever! LOL… I use this for days when I have visible dark circles because it works to cover it up nicely leaving me looking pretty much flawless! This is already a staple in my makeup kit. Needless to say, this one was the first thing I reached for this morning!