Cleansing Oils I have used over the years and some Tips on using Cleansing Oils properly

Paris B 81 Comments

When I asked for your opinions on whether one should use cleansing oils even if you don’t use makeup, I had a few readers (Shay, Kay Es etc) ask for my thoughts on the cleansing oils I’ve used. Eeks! Do you know how long I’ve been at it and how many I’ve been through? haha…

But I do like using cleansing oils and I have found some that I like and will merrily tell you to buy (provided you don’t buy them all and leave nothing for me 😛 ) and I have also found some that do not work for me.

cleansing oils I've used before

As for how to use cleansing oil to avoid that oily feel after cleansing, try reading my earlier tip on how to properly use cleansing oils. Proper emulsification will reduce the oily feel, but a lot also depends on the texture of the cleansing oil in question. The oily feeling never goes away for some I’ve tried, even if you emulsify like crazy.

So, from memory, here is a quick run down of the cleansing oils I’ve used. Its long, so make sure you have food and water on hand so you don’t expire 😛

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Yes you can do a full face of makeup in 8 minutes!

Paris B 48 Comments

I woke up early one morning, lumbered sleepily to the kitchen to boil water for a cup of coffee… and stepped into a puddle of water. Opening the cupboard under the sink unleashed a torrential waterfall. Apparently there was a leaky pipe dripping water into some pots under the sink, and it had overflowed. So instead of making coffee before I left, and taking time to dress and put on my face, I was left mopping and cleaning up the kitchen for about half an hour, leaving me about 10 minutes to get out the door and to work.

To add insult to injury, I had an early morning start and I had a long day to go so I had to have makeup that would last. Here’s how I got my makeup on in 8 minutes or so, and the products I used (and why I chose to use them) 🙂

what I use for a full face makeup in 8 minutes!

Foundation – Clarins Everlasting Foundation (1) + I Nuovi Illumina Heaven (2) + loose powder (3) + Dior Skinflash (4) – 2 minutes

I chose the Clarins Everlasting foundation because I knew from experience that the medium coverage and long lasting power was what I needed. I added the I Nuovi Illumina to add glow to an otherwise flat foundation. Pumped 1.5 pumps of foundation into my palm, added a squirt of Illumina and applied it to my face quickly. Brushed on some Dior Skinflash concealer/highlighter on the undereye and I looked alive! Puffed some Lavshuca loose powder over to set and I was done in about 2 minutes. Patting on the loose powder helped set the liquid makeup and helped it last.

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What brush do you use to apply blush?

Paris B 41 Comments

what brushes to use for blusher

So we are familiar with the fact I love blush yes? If I can just take one makeup item with me on a desert island it would likely be blush – just don’t make me choose which one!

No really, don’t! 😛

So, what brushes do I use on a daily basis to apply my blushes? Here is an insight into the ones I use regularly.

ecotools blush brush shu uemura pony blush brush

Ecotools Bamboo Blush Brush (link to review)

This one’s a winner in my book. I use it for every single blush, whether it is a pigmented one or a non pigmented one. For pigmented blushes, I just tap it on the surface and apply with a light hand to buff it in. For less pigmented blushes, I swipe it across the powder and the buff it in.

It works like a charm and I am really thinking of getting a backup. Its quite perfect for the price. You can read my previous review by clicking on the link above.

I like using this with : Benefit Sugarbomb and Coralista, MAC Porcelain Pink and almost any blush I use.

Left: Shu Uemura #17 Pony Right: Ecotools Bamboo Blush Brush

Shu Uemura #17 Pony Blush Brush

I have a love-hate relationship with this one. I bought it many years ago in Hong Kong (it was cheaper there) but what I really wanted was the #20 which is bigger and fluffier. However, I’ve since learned through experimentation, that this little flat brush works very well for precise placement of blush on the cheekbones and it works for me with pigmented blushes. I like taking this one along when I travel because its small. I can’t recall the price anymore (but its likely to have gone up anyway)

I like using this with: Shu Uemura Glow On blushes and NARS powder blushes and anything that might be pigmented.
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Save & Splurge : The Powder Foundation Edition

Paris B 24 Comments

powder foundation picks

For those who like powder foundation (like I do), here are my choices from the low, mid  and the higher end of the price spectrum. I use these 3 brands interchangeably almost every day 😀

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Revlon Beyond Natural 2 Way Foundation (RM69)

An everyday 2 way foundation that works so well for me, I don’t even look at any other brands in the pharmacy anymore. Get it when it goes on sale and best of all, it comes in refill pans so you save even more. Read the original review here.

Save-ish

I Nuovi FaceFix UV Powder Foundation (RM98 powder RM30 case)

Yet another everyday powder I love for its (almost) flawless skin effect that it gives me. I’m on my 2nd pan already and I love travelling with this one, because it gives me a slightly better finish than Revlon but is less fragile than travelling with the Splurge option of Shu Uemura! Read the original review here.
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