QUICKIE FRIDAY FAVOURITES: CONTOURING PRODUCTS (QUICK REVIEW + SWATCHES)

"Its Friday, Friday, Friday...."

And it's time for some Friday Favourites again. Now that it's summertime in the land down under - its all about the minimal makeup, sun kissed look! I shared with you my current spring/ summer fav lippies two weeks ago #badblogger. This week it's about my favourite "colouring" products. By colouring, I really meant contouring =P

Arbonne Bronzer, A$46* - I think I might have just discovered my favourite bronzer! Matte finish without giving you that dirty "greyish" undertone = #winning! Also, its moderately pigmented - which translates to you don't have to risk looking like someone who has just dunk her face into a bowl of orange powder. Just a few swirl with a large fluffy blush around the temple of your forehead, under your cheeckbones and your jaws (also known as the "3" zone) and voila - sunkissed finish! :) This has been my daily contouring bronzer since well, I got it from the lovely girls from Brand New Solutions and it’s safe to say I will definitely repurchase once it hits pan!

ELF Mineral Blush in Candid Coral, US$3 – Natural flush, pigmented, easily blendable, cheap, this baby here ticked the box for all of the above. Looking for something more subtle and give you the summer glow? This blush is your answer! This is my fail proof everyday blush and has been making frequent appearance ever since the land down under was greeted with spring.

WITH FLASH (L - R): Australis Highlighter, Benefit High Beam, Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Benefit CORALista, Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick, ELF Candid Coral, Arbonne Blush in Blossom, Arbonne Bronzer

Bobbi Brown Bronze shimmer brick, A$85 - This is my to-go-to "blush" for my cheekbones when I want a really bronzy, sunkissed look with a glowy finish to complement either my bold eyes or bright lips (usually the latter)! Do keep in mind though, as the name is pretty self-explanatory, please keep the shimmer on your eyes to the bare minimum as the last thing you want is to look like a shiny disco ball. Unless, that's what you fancy.... If that's the case, go for it. :P The only downside is, it’s probably costs you a week’s worth of lunch to “invest” in this brick. #damnyouAustralianretailprice

Arbonne Blush in Blossom, A$40* - It reminds me of NARS Orgasm when I first received it (although I don't own Orgasm myself) - tell me if you agree? Blossom is a gorgeous coral blush with gold shimmer bits - the perfect blush to "wake you up" and give your look some colour. This blush is usually seen on my lazy days when I am a tad couldn't be bothered with my eye make up! The formula is super pigmented and very blendable. Like any good blushes, a little go a long way..

NATURAL LIGHT (L - R): Australis Highlighter, Benefit High Beam, Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Benefit CORALista, Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick, ELF Candid Coral, Arbonne Blush in Blossom, Arbonne Bronzer

Benefit Go Tropicoral, A$59* – Your everyday carry-on beauty kit for instant beauty. No, you do not get a prize for guessing which colour family did I choose when I was given a chance to trial one of Benefit’s lip and cheeks kits (Including Sugarlicious and Feelin’ Dandy).  This compact but handy kit consists of a 4mL Cha Cha Tint, 4mL High Beam highlighter, 3g CORALista face powder & 6.5mL Ultra Plush CORALista lipgloss – perfect for touch ups and takes you from beach day to drinks at the bar. Blend away with a pea size of Cha Cha Tint on the apple of your cheeks; High Beam highlighter on your cheekbones/ undereyes and your nose bridge; and finally a sweep of CORALista lipgloss and you are ready for the beach! Ready to move on from the beach to the nearby pub? You can add on some CORALista face powder on top of your cha cha tint and instead of using the CORALista lipgloss on its own, you might want to apply some ChaCha Tint under the lipgloss for a more intensify lip colour for the night. My favourites from the kit are non-other than the famous Cha Cha Tint and High beam highlighter! :)

Australis Highlighter in Pearl, A$14.95* – Australis claims that it contains skin illuminators to reflect light, leaving your skin looking forever fresh, radiant and glowing. I couldn’t agree more with it! This has become a new favourite of mine – half a pea size is sufficient to brighten up your otherwise dull and “dead” morning face, giving you a glowy finish!  If you do not have the habit to highlight your face, you should probably start now. Trust me, it really makes a difference in “waking you up”. 

That pretty sums up my current favourite summer products - there are actually more to the list now that I have started trying a few new products. But, I shall keep that for the future! 

Have you tried any of the above products? What are your favourite contouring products?

Can you guess which one did I wear to work and what will I be wearing?

NEXT UP - stay tune for my last minute shopping gift guides :)

Disclaimer: Products marked with asterisk* were sent to me for consideration purposes. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions stated are 100% honest. For more information, please refer to Through Beauty Eyes disclosure policies.  

XOXO,

A

ASIA HAUL 2012 #1 - SINGAPORE DUTY FREE ft Chanel, Shiseido, Victoria Secret & Revlon

It's the EVE again, thank god! So glad it's nearly the weekend, work has been barely bearable this week. In order to "celebrate" that we are closer to the weekend, I shall share the first loot of my Asia Haul - stuff that I purchased from Singapore Duty Free. 

(No, I didn't buy half the Duty Free shop. :P I am actually pretty proud of my self-control. :D)

Before going ahead with the loot, may I reiterate how ridiculously priced beauty products are in Australia. A Revlon lipstick here is almost the price of a Chanel lipstick from Singapore Duty Free! Preposterous, I know. I believe, this is probably a good reason for me to stick to my no-hauling-in-Australia-ban. :P

Anyhoo, without any ado, it's time to share the love  as well as the pain of my poor purse. 

Singapore Duty Free haul - told cha I was being good. :P

It's about time I popped my Chanel cherry - my first Chanel purchase. :)

Chanel Illusion D' Ombre in Illusoire (SGD 38.50)

Look at how pretty it looks. In fact it's too pretty to be used! I haven't touched this baby besides a few "photoshoots". Should probably take Illusoire out for a "test drive" soon after all the praises it received in the blogosphere. 

Chanel Rouge Coco in Rose Comete (SGD$ 33.50)

The classic Chanel design.

Simple but chic and classy! Me love!

With Flash

Without flash

Rose Comete is a frosty baby pink colour. It is a rather unique colour, not something I would use on a daily basis though. Swatches to come sooner than you say ABC. :P

Next up, 

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Parfait in PK 307 (SGD$ 33)

Being the twitter stalker I am LOL, I knew I had to give the Rouge Parfait range a try when I stumbled upon Cheri and Dana's conversation on the awesomeness of this range. 

With Flash

Without Flash

Compared to Chanel Rose Comete, Shisedo's Rouge Parfait in PK307 is way more wearable and will be probably be on high rotation once I am back to natural pink "lip phase" again. 

As mentioned earlier, swatches to come faster than you saying ABC. Not lying there peeps! 

With Flash

Without Flash

Next up, my Revlon loot. :)

The lipsticks were a quarter of the Australian price (I KNOW RIGHT!) and the eyeshadow palettes were at least half the price here (See what I mean by ridiculous price?)

Revlon Custom Eye Palettes in Party Pop and Naturally Glamorous (SGD$ 12.95)

These palettes come with 5 gorgeous colours - albeit not with the best pigmentations, they are really smooth and glide on easily on your lids. Naturally Glamorous is great for starters (as a start up kit) as well as an awesome palette for your make up bag (as a touch up kit) as it has all the colours you need - from highlights to v-brow colour. I came across Party Pop when it was used on  me at the Revlon Luscious Pumping Mascara Event a while ago. Great spring/ summer palette but I have yet to try it out! Whist Party Pop and Naturally Glamorous are palettes that I adore, with great colours, I don't think I would fork out the full Australian price for it. 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Softsilver Rose (SGD 7.95)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wild Orchid (SGD 7.95)

When I saw the Super Lustrous range was only SGD 7.95, I could not resist. Heck, its cheaper than a bowl of salad or my favourite sandwich here! I was hoping to pick up Siren, which was also used at the    Revlon Luscious Pumping Mascara Event but unfortunately, they didn't have it at the Duty Free. So, I picked up another pearly bright fuchsia lipstick named Wild Orchid and also a pearly coral-pink lipstick named Softsilver Red.

Swatches as below:

With Flash

Without Flash

Due to the lack of brands in Australia (need I emphasize more on this point again?), a Duty Free trip isn't complete without a Victoria Secret purchase! Agree, no?

VS Beauty Rush Fragrance Mist in Sweet Tease and VS Fragrance Mist in Gorgeous 

(SGD 22.95 and SGD 14.95)

I love love love these 2 fragrance mists - they are perfect for a little pick me up after a long day. Yes, smelling absolutely yummy is a form of pick me up too! :) My sisters reckon Sweet Tease is way too sweet and it's a tad revolting (imagine "yucks" coming from them everytime I spray) lol but I love it cos I love sweet scent - think: DKNY Delicious, SJP New York City... you get the jizz. :)

That's all I got from Duty Free. Truth to be told, there will probably be a couple more stuff in my shopping bag if I wasn't short of time. Another good way to reduce spending in a Duty Free - pick the connecting flight with the shortest transit time. :)

Hope you enjoy this Duty Free Haul Post - more Asia Haul post to come! 

HAPPY THURSDAY, LOVELIES! :)

Have you been travelling lately?

Did you break your bank account with Duty Free Shopping?

Don't forget to share your hauls :P

XOXO,

A

SMASHBOX GILS ON FILM SOFTBOX PALETTE 3 in 1 - Swatches, Quick Thoughts, FOTD

Don't you love the triumph feeling or the satisfaction you have when you manage to get hold of something exclusive or limited edition, something along those lines? 

Well, I know I do. 

(Yes, I am one of those consumers who get sucked into limited edition stuff pretty easily, a tad too easy for my own good.)

If you are a fan of Smashbox and happens to live in this continent that starts with an A and ends with an A, Christmas might have came earlier for you! :)

SMASHBOX brings you the brand NEW and limited edition Girls on Film Colour Collection, exclusive to KIT! This film-worthy collection is inspired by the magic that happens when you capture the perfect shot!

 

Girls on Film Photo Op Eye Palettes (Softbox / Smokebox) - $64.95

Girls on Film Cream Eyeliner Travel Brush Set (Blacklight / Sepia) - $39.95

Girls on Film Blush Rush (Pose / Silhouette) - $34.95

Girls on Film Lip Enhancing Gloss (Overexposed / Underexposed) - $26.95

The Limited Edition Smashbox Girls On Film Collection will be available exclusively at Kit Cosmetics & Mecca Maxima stores nationally from 24 October 2011.

I was lucky enough to be the proud owner of the Girls On Film Softbox Eyeshadow Palette courtesy of EGPR. on the launch day itself, which was Monday, the 24th of October. :)

TOP - L to R: Fizz, Pebble, Minx
BOTTOM - L to R: Vanilla, Ignite, Sienna

 All the perfect neutral shades in ONE palette! What more could you ask for? :)

SWATCHES:

Fizz, Pebble, Minx

Vanilla, Ignite, Sienna 

QUICK THOUGHTS:

Quick thoughts because I have only used this palette twice this week, hence, unable to provide a detailed review as yet. As you can tell from the swatches above, the colours are pretty pigmented but not the most pigmented eyeshadows I own. Pebble is a purpleish-grey colour, the only matte colour in the palette, which pigmentation is probably the lowest compared to other shimmery/pearly colours. My make up lasted all day and survived an intensive pump class with an eyeshadow primer underneath albeit there was some creasing on my middle lid area. I reckon that's more of my watery eyes issues than the eyeshadows' formula.

FOTD: 

Quick FOTD using my brand new Softbox Eyeshadow Palette. 

On my EYES

ELF Eyeshadow Primer

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Ignite - all over the lid colour

Minx - Outer V

Vanilla - Brow bone highlight

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Mascara in Black

Mineresse Tight Liner in Black*

Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner in Black

ELF eyebrow Kit in medium

On my FACE

Australis Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15*

Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover in Medium*

ModelCo Desk to Date Blush*

Flomar Terra Cotta Blush in 43 (Bronzer)

MAC MSF in Candlelight

Maybelline FIT ME Concealer in Light

Australis Ready-Set-Go Translucent Powder*

On my LIPS

Rimmel Lasting Finish by KATE Lipstick in #12*

(New favourite for summer!)

PS: Excuse the quality of the photos. All photos were taken my new iPhone 4S. (Isn't the best quality I have taken but its actually pretty good for non-camera-pikchas.)

Are you a fan of exclusive and limited merchandise too? 

What are your lemmings from the Smashbox Girls on Film collection?

Disclaimer: The Smashbox Palette and items marked with asterisk (*)  were either gifted at events or sent to me for consideration purposes. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions stated are 100% honest. For more information, please refer to Through Beauty Eyes disclosure policies. 

XOXO,

A