I never thought I would come to this point, but I have indeed been inclining towards warm-toned eyeshadow recently. This is a big deal for me considering my proclaimed devotion to cool and neutral shades and while I still place those tones as my #1, my loyalty to them has seem to wane as of late.  I even displayed my rekindled love for the warm-tone-galore Modern Renaissance Palette in a recent post, so you can imagine how excited I got when I received this sunset-themed palette courtesy of Influenster!

        

Enter the new addition to my collection: e.l.f. Rose Gold Sunset Eyeshadow Palette. It's also a new addition to my everyday routine, that's how much I've been enjoying it. The palette houses 10 shades: 6 shimmers + 4 mattes, all complying to a sunset theme of golds, oranges, olive tones, and burnt reds. What I appreciate about the shade range is that while the tones are definitely warm, they still balance a neutral vibe in that you can easily wear them without looking like you've smeared a hot orange or red on your lids. In other words, you can definitely keep it simple or amp it up for a sunset explosion on the eyes. In terms of quality, the shadows are not the most pigmented I've used, although they are very good nonetheless. The deep shimmers are amazing in pigmentation and richness in colour and the mattes are easily buildable; the only shade I had trouble with were the first two shades in the palette as they were quite dry and chalky, although perhaps they would perform better wet.

All in all, this palette is a great drugstore option to try out if you enjoy this shade range. Have you tried this palette or any other by e.l.f.? 

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Matte lipsticks are quite controversial now in the beauty community. With the onset of liquid lipsticks, matte lips soon have become synonymous with dryness and discomfort which is why I think that's why glossy lips have now become the popular lipstick choice. However, I've always been an avid wearer of matte lips and I still am because there really does exist matte products that are actually comforable on the lips, whether they are liquid lipsticks or the standard bullet form. So, here's a brief rundown on 4 lisptick ranges that have given me hope that matte and comfort can co-exist. 

         

I'm glad to say that three of my favourites are actually from the drugstore. Firstly, the NYX Matte Lipstick is a great contender as it's richly pigmented and, considering how I have a dark shade ("Alabama"), it isn't even patchy! That's an extra point atop the comforable feel this lipstick has on the lips. I'd love to try more from this range as well!

The Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks by Kate Moss are probably my favourite lipsticks of all time. I own multiple shades from the range ("107" is my all-time favourite lisptick), the one shown is "105". Again, the pigmentaton is amazing across the board: from pinks to nudes to reds and berries. The texture is so comfortable that it's almost undetectable on the lips. Plus, they are super long-lasting that they hardly fade throughout the day. Another similar range from Rimmel is their The Only One Matte Lipsticks which I've heard are also comfortable, yet pigmented matte lipsticks!

The Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balms are terrific in their own unique way as they're a "matte balm" in that they're super smoothing and moisturinzing on the lips that also give off a cooling peppermint sensation, but they also manage to offer maximum impact in colour payoff in a matte finish! The shade swatched is in "Sultry" (and I can attest that their other shades are also equally amazing!)

Finally, the Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipsticks is another gem especially as it's one of those rare liquid lipsticks that are not drying, tightening, nor flaking on the lips. Unfortunately that means that they're not really transfer-proof, but sometimes that's the price you got to pay!

What are some of your favourite comfortable matte lipsticks?

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When it comes to the quality of makeup products, often pigmentation is a top defining factor. It of course makes sense as we all expect payoff that is rich and impactful when we spend our money on a product, although, having said that, there are some products that some people prefer a more subtle payoff especially for blush, contour, bronzer, etc. However, for the most rich pigmented payoff is what we usually expect and appreciate in a product.. So, I perused my collection to select the most pigmented products I own and thought it would be helpful to showcase them along with my thoughts on whether or not the intense pigmentation is actually advantageous or not. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette. 

This palette's claim to fame is definitely the intense pigmentation of the shadows while still maintaining a smooth application and blend on the eyes. For eyeshadow, I personally appreciate and favour shadows that are highly pigmented that I can manipulate into an intense look or diffuse and blend into a more soft-focused, albeit noticeable eye look. So, this palette in particular is top-notch, mostly owing to its generous pigmentation. [Full review here.]

       

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette. 

It gets a bit tricky when it comes to highlighters. I personally prefer the natural, colourless, cream highlighters as when it comes to a powder highlighter that is very pigmented, it can come off as too metallic, unflattering, and unnatural. However, this particular product is suprisingly pretty as it makes the skin look more wet than actually highlighted, imparting a more dewy natural look. [Full review here.]

e.l.f. Blush Palette.

I love a good pigmented blush, contrary to most people. However, honestly this palette may be too pigmented even for my liking, particularly because the high pigmentation is paired with un-blendability, so you end up with high impact blush, but without the ability to blend and diffuse it away. So, when it comes to blush (or at least this palette), high pigmentation may not necessarily a benefit. [Full review here.]

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipsticks.

I probably own over half of this collection and each lipstick really is super pigmented and vivid on the lips, yet in a comfortable, non-drying way. The shade swatched is "111" which is a gorgeous tomato-red that, with one swipe, gives me maximum payoff. These are probably my most loved lipsticks in my collection, period. 

Sephora Wink-It Felt Liner.

With liquid eyeliner, I feel that the consenus is that the more pigmented, the better. It's difficult to find an opaque and vivid liquid liner that doesn't smudge, transfer, or fade, but this eyeliner conforms to everything I look for in the perfect liquid liner, especially pigmentation!

What's the most pigmented product that you've ever tried?

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Happy New Year! When comes the new year, also follows the flood of the annual "Best of Beauty" posts and videos as we all recount our favourite and most-used products of the past year. It's honestly one of my favourite posts to read as well as to write as throughout the year we try so many products that it's refreshing to read a condensed roundup of the absolute best of the best. I'll go about with this list the same way I've done in previous years (read 2016 and 2017 lists) and that is to be quite ruthless and only feature my absolute favourite products that are also ones that have been quite new to my collection. So, keep in mind that the products I've mentioned in previous years are still some of my favourite products in general. Here we go!

Eyes.

Out of all the eyeshadow palettes that I have in my collection, my most used in 2018 has been the Too Faced White Peach Palette. I know that this palette has received some controversy in regards to the shade spectrum, but really it's a matter of preference. For me, I adored this palette because it gave me exactly what I wanted: pretty soft shades that can simply be worn on their own as individual washes of colour. It's a palette that I appreciate each and every shade of and have used during all four seasons of 2018.

Full review here.

Speaking of eyeshadow, I must make an honourable mention, albeit it being relatively new addition in my collection: Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in "Kitten". Ever since I purchased it, I've been using it non-stop. Given it's elegant champagne-pink shimmer shade, plus its easy to use application, it's become one of those products I can use anytime and anywhere. 

Full review here.

Topping off the eyes category, I need to mention my frequently mentioned favourite mascara that was also featured in my last year's Best of Beauty list: the L'Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara. It's one of those rare gems that cover all bases: lengthening, volumnizing, thickening, plus holds a curl (waterproof version)!

Full review here.

Complexion.

This year I'm skipping foundation! 2018 was the year where I overthrew my typical complexion routine and really disovered my makeup niche especially in terms of skin (read about my makeup journey here). Therefore, my new routine has forgone foundation (on most days) and instead entails the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in "Luminous Light". The former provides a beautiful and natural skin-like finish that balances coverage and a lightweight feel; the latter imparts a believable natural "glow from within" that smoothes the skin beautifully. 

Full review on the powder here.

Blush.

This particular blush was not new to me in 2018, but I did finally get the full-sized version of the Too Faced Lover Flush Blush in "Justify My Love" because I love it that much. It's my perfect blush: a cool-toned, baby pink matte blush that instantly refreshens and brightens up your skin, giving a doll-like expression to your face. It's super pretty and is definitely my go-to and most used and loved blush, of perhaps all-time.

Full review here.

Lips.

One feat of 2018 for me was that I finally discovered my perfect red lipstick (it's a big deal, okay!). The Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Lady Balls" is the perfect red as it's a deep ruby red with co0l undertones that looks like velvet on the lips. This has definitely been a standout product for me in 2018.

Full review here.

There you have it: my most used and loved products of the past year that have also been mostly new additions to my collection. What was your standout product of 2018?

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I've recently been venturing out of my usual routine by using a few new products as well as forging a new different makeup aesthetic for myself. For me now it's all about the glow whether that be in the form of dewy skin or shimmery lids (but still matte lips, always matte lips for me!). In fact, while I still strive to convey my usual polished makeup look, I have taken a more natural angle at doing it by balancing boldness with soft natural features. Read about my current favourites and changes to my new routine below:

       

Recently I've been really embracing natural skin in conjunction with more bold eyes or lips. That's why I've been foregoing foundation completely lately and just using my Maybelline Fit Me Concealer all over the face. Since this product imparts quite a natural-looking satin finish to the skin while simultaneously providing decent covereage, it's really the perfect product for me as it doesn't give me the heavy look that foundation almost always gives me. 

To further my complexion routine, the current product that I haven't been able to part with (and has even achieved holy grail status, I might add) is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in "Luminous Light" (full review here). This is magic - it's a powder yet it gives a dewy finish on the skin which is quite unfathomable to me, but it works and I'm literally in love. I just douse my entire face with it by using a large fluffy brush and blending away. 

In line with the natural skin routine, I've been dipping back into the Glossier Cloud Paints (full review here) as liquid blushes just blend more seamlessly and give a unique ethereal watercolour stain on the cheeks. Overall, it tops off the natural skin routine beautifully.  

For eyeshadow, I think I've finally found my niche: I'm definitely more of a "one and done" eyeshadow wearer, in that I prefer using a swipe of a singular eyeshadow shade on the lids rather than reating a thorough eye look. That's why the Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow (full review here) is perfect for me; the shade "Kitten" in particular is so lovely as it is a pinky champagne shade that pretty much compliments any makeup look or outfit I go for. Dare I say this is another new-found holy grail product? Yes, I do dare say so.

While I have all his natural and subtle maeup going on in my routine lately, I like to anchor it all by injecting some boldness which I moderately do with some black eyeliner. The Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil in "Loveheart" one is super creamy and intensly pigmented (but not transfer-proof, unfortunately). I find that tight-lining with a black pencil thickens the lash line and gives the illusion of really full lashes in a much more natural way than fake lashes. It's become almost a daily ingredient in my routine lately!

What are your current favourites or changes in your makeup routine?

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'Tis the season for red lips! Even though I love to sport a red lip year-round, the festive season especially calls for red lisptick, almost even on a daily basis. There's just something so classic and timeless about a red lip, so when Christmas-time comes around, it just gets even more fun and exciting to wear as we almost all collectively join together with our red pouts!

When it comes to festive red lisptick, I prefer those true reds rather than those atumnal deep berry shades. However, there can still be a wide variety of shades and tones when it comes to true reds such as: bright neutral red; a slightly deeper and cooler red; plus an orange-y red lip. 

      The Blood Red. Starting off with something different, is the classic red's more fierce sister in that it's a bit deeper, with cooler untertones. The Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in "Lady Balls" is synonymous to a deep ruby which looks so luxurious on the lips that it really imitates the look of velvet. This is a stunning red that takes the typically bright, neutral red in a slightly more unique and mysterious direction. (Full review here.) 

The Classic Red. The classic firetruck red: not too warm, nor cool, nor deep. It's the epitome of the classic red that's been seen on old Hollywood glamour beauty icons. My favourite is the L'Oréal Le Matte in "Mad for Matte" (see below for similar) that conforms to that classic red shade that instantly brightens the face. I feel that for this type of shade, a matte finish makes the look even more sophistacted and chic, although a glossy look could definitely amp it up into a more glamourous lip. 

The Orange-Red. For a warmer red, yet still festive, the Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in "111 - Kiss of Life" is gorgeous as the orange undertone isn't too obivious. Instead, it's a very flattering warm shade that can compliment any skin undertone so that you can easily pair it with a warm gold eye for the holiday season!

What's your favourite festive red lipstick shade?

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Powder products are often the norm when it comes to eyeshadow, blush, and highlighter, however, there has been recently a turn in the beauty community towards cream and liquid products. It took me a while to finally try out some non-powder makeup, however, upon using them I quickly discovered the benefit of cream and liquid in terms of application (no brushes needed!) as well as the effect they provide the skin. Below are four cream/liquid products and a rundown on why they've given me a totally new mindset relative to powder products.

        

Eyeshadow. Whether it be single eyeshadows or palettes, shadows often come in powder form which is indeed easy to apply with; qith a brush, one can simply pack and apply eyeshadow on the lid in a very efficient manner. However, an advantage that I have realized in using cream and liquid shadows, is that they are often much more pigmented and long-wearing than powder. I used to wonder why powder metallics and shimmers would end up so lackluster on me, but upon discovering cream shadows such as the Maybelline 24Hr Color Tattoo or liquid shadows such as the Stila Shimmer [or Glitter] & Glow (full review here), they have totally amped up my looks! 

Blush. Blush is for brightening and adding colour to the face, however, if it's a powder product, the finish can be quite dry on the skin; also, sometimes powder blush can end up being too pigmented. However, when you use a liquid formula such as the Glossier Cloud Paints (full review here), the look is a lot more flattering as the liquid blends into the skin, giving a more radiant and natural look; plus, you needn't worry about applying too much since you can easily blend the blush away with your fingers or a brush! 

Highlighter. If you've been coveting a dewy, natural glow rather than a heavy metallic highlighter, cream highlight is probably your best bet, such as the Glossier Haloscope (full review here). Because it's a cream, the product melts beautifully into the skin especially when you pat it in with your fingers. So, instead of glitter particles or a stark metallic finish, the effect is like a face gloss that makes you look - yes... lit from within. (Full review here.)

How do you feel about cream and liquid products?

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The Stila liquid eyeshadows have become a cult favourite within the beauty world. It all started with their Glitter & Glow eyeshadows of which I also became an avid lover of. Afterwards, the brand came out with its more everyday, subtle version in the form of the Shimmer & Glow eyeshadows. Overall, the liquid formula is an innovative one in that it has become so simple and fuss-free to achieve an intense look with glitter or even a subtle one, but beautiful nonetheless. In fact, a brush isn't even required! With the liquid consistency plus the applicator wand, application is very simple: swipe on the lid and pat/blend with your finger and add more if needed! You can see why I've become obsessed with these.

    In comparing the two versions, the Glitter & Glows are, as the name suggests, a glitter shadow, yet without the mess. The shade I own is "Kitten Karma" (top) which is a neutral, bronze-y gold. The overall effect it imparts is a pretty glitter look that, if applied sparingly, looks very ethereal as the glitter particles scatter over the lid and captures the lid; however, if applied heavily, the look is elevated into a more glam, opaque glitter effect. (Full review here.)

The Shimmer & Glow shadows, however, are more shine rather than glitter. The shade I have, which is considered the counterpart of the former, is "Kitten" (bottom) - the signature Stila shade that is a pinky-champagne shimmer. This has definitely become my everyday shadow as the effect is a lot more subtle and perfect for everyday, although you can still amp it up for a more intense effect. Regardless of how much you apply, the overall effect is that it gives the lids a glossy look while offering a pinky hue that is so pretty and ethereal. 

These liquid shadows are super versatile and user-friendly which, along with the beautiful effect they give, makes for a perfect product. With the two different formulas, you can easily switch from day to evening; from everyday to glam! 

Have you tried any of the Stila liquid eyeshadows?

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It's that time of year! Once December hits, all the blogs and YouTube channels flood us with those festive gift guides. I personally love reading and watching them as there is often so much variety in the gifts that you can purchase for a loved one (as well as for yourself!) that you wouldn't have thought about yourself. It's also often in these gift guides where you're able to see some injection of personality of the blogger that can hopefully provide some inspiration to the reader or viewer. 

This is my second year compiling a gift guide (read last year's here). While I do have a few repeats, I tried to establish a well-rounded gide that covered multiple categories - beauty to fashion to miscellaneous. I hope this helps!

Beauty.

When it comes to gifting a beauty lover, it doesn't necessarily always mean makeup. However, if that's what you are looking for, purchasing a small luxury item is always special for the holidays. A Dior Eyeshadow Palette for example, can be such a pretty gift that caters to the makeup lover while it also being special and more than an ordinary product. Let's face it: when it comes to a gift, the brand name really does make a difference!

However, for the non-makeup beauty gift, perfume is also such a luxury and special gift, especially if you have an idea as to what scent they generally prefer. If they're like me and love a girly and subtly sweet scent, the Marc Jacobs Daisy line is divine, particularly the Marc Jacobs Daisy (more fresh) and the Marc Jacobs Daisy Love (more sweet). Perfumes can be quite pricey, however, so opting for a rollerball or a minature bottle can still be really cute and special - especially when the packaging is adorable like the Marc Jacobs ones!

Style. 

For a gift in the fashion category, accessories are always a great idea. For example, a little compact mirror like the Kate Spade Mirror (similar here*() that is definitely less than ordinary would make for such a cute and thoughtful gift that actually has practical use. For a more luxe gift (without breaking the bank), small jewellery such as the Kate Spade Earrings (similar here*) or the Rosefield Watches would be very special, especially with the custom gift wrapping they come in!

Miscellaneous.

When it comes to the "other" category, you can never go wrong with books. As long as you have a vague idea as to what topics they enjoy, a book can never be underappreciated. For a fun read for one who enjoys beauty, fashion, and the French aesthetic, the book How to be Parisian Wherever You Are is a perfect gift, adorned with beauty imagery and amusing descriptions. All you got to do next is find the perfect wrapping paper to wrap it up with!

Here were just a few gift ideas, but see below for more ideas!

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If you've been tuning in to my blog for the past month or so, you may have gotten the idea of my obsession for glowy skin lately (I'm late on the bandwagon, I know). However, through this newfound love of mine, I have explored quite a few ways to inject a glow factor onto my skin, particulary on my cheeks. By means of blush, highlighter, or a glowy powder, here are 3 different ways to achieve that pretty ethereal glow.

      Highlighter. This is the obvious route, of course. A powder or cream that is specifically designated for highlighting the face is a foolproof way to go about adding glow on the cheekbones. However, allowing yourself to extend application onto the apples of the cheeks makes for an even more glowy look, but one that is more youthful and pretty rather than a stark line of highlight atop the cheekbones. You can then blend the product into the blush on the apples of your cheeks so that the flushed cheeks blends seamlessly with the highlighter glow. My favourite is the Sleek "Solstice" Highlighting Palette which is quite intense, yet flattering on the cheeks - plus you've got four shades in one!

Shimmer Blush. Speaking of blush, a glowy shimmery blush rather than a matte one is a great way to add more glow onto the cheeks. Whether it's a powder or cream formulation, an illuminating blush imparts a dewy look, thus leaving the skin looking more natural and fresher. I love to use the Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powder in "Peonies Please" (discontinued, see below for similar) which is a shimmery baby pink shade, although any shade can do. 

Glowy Powder. This is an interesting product, but an effective one nonetheless. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in "Luminous Light" (full review here) has been my favourite product of late as it subtly adds an ethereal, "lit from within" glow all over the cheeks. However, you can saturate the product on the cheeks and cheekbones for a more apparant glow, yet one that appears smooth and natural. Applying this over a matte blush can also activate that dewy-blush look.

What are your favourite ways to add glow to the face?

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Pink lipstick is a tricky shade to wear. It's not as clear-cut as a simple, universal red, nor safe like a nude tone. Pink is that middle ground which comprises of multiple different shades and undertones, some of which are more flattering than others. It's taken me a while to discover what works for me and I've noticed that such shades are pretty much complimentary to any other skin tone that I've seen them on. Here are four different tones of pink lipstick that I hope will facilitate your search in finding one that works for you. 

      The Bubblegum Pink. As intimidating as a bubblegum pink sounds, it really does depend on the undertone and intensity of the shade in terms of the lipstick being flattering and wearable. One of my favourite pinks to wear is a cool-toned pink that has slight blue undertones rather than a warm, fluorescent hue. A lipstick like the L'Oréal Le Matte Lipstick in "Matte for Me" (see below for similar) is the perfect bubblegum shade as it isn't extremely cool that would look unflattering; instead, it is a brightening shade that freshens the face, making you appear more youthful.  

The Mid-Tone Pink. For the basic, everyday pink that isn't too warm, cool, bright, nor deep, the Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in "102" is an excellent option as a flattering pink shade that isn't too stark or obvious on the lips. It's basically "your lips, but better".

The Deep-Rose Pink. This is pink lipstick for those who are afraid of pink lipstick. Any shade's deeper version makes it safer and more wearable. A deep, dusky rosy pink like the Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is the more sophisticated and chic rendition of a pink lipstick, but still leans towards that feminine colour family.

The Sheer Pink. The safest option here, but equally pretty, nonetheless. The Glossier Generation G Lipstick in "Crush" is one of my most used lipsticks as it's a sheer raspberry pink that you can build up for a red-pink tone. It brightens up the face and looks very pretty, yet not too done-up.

There you have it - a guide for pink lipstick. I'm planning on doing more of these for reds, purples, etc! How do you wear pink lipstick?

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Concealers may not be as exciting as choosing among the variety of eyeshadows, lipsticks, blushes, etc., but that doesn't mean there's nothing to appreciate in the plethora of finishes and coverages of concealers on the market. In fact, concealer is perhaps the most important complexion product for me as I even it as my foundation sometimes. I've amassed a selection of concealers throughout my hunt for the perfect one and while I do indeed have a favourite, each of these do offer something different that you may be interested in depending on your preferences and needs.

          

This is my all-time favourite concealer, hands down: the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. It's one of those products that offer buildable coverage, yet appears very natural and flattering on the skin and imparts a satin look to the skin. So, it basically gives you perfected skin, but in a way that looks like your skin is naturally perfect. The consistency is quite liquid-y and moisturizing, but actually does its job effectively and lasts long on the skin. This is the concealer that I even sometimes use as a foundation for all over the face, but is also equally effective for blemishes and brightness. 

The CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous! Concealer is not one of my favourites, but one that I do use from time to time. I don't prefer to use it for acually concealing or for large areas on the face; if I do, it looks very dry on my skin. However, due to the thick and bright shade (it's the brightest shade of concealer I own), I do use it for very specific and precise areas such as cleaning up the edges of brows or the edge of my eye to clean up my eyeshadow. I find that it suffices for that, but it's not one that I would re-purchase. 

This is probably one of the most mentioned drugstore concealers in the beauty world which makes it a case of "YouTube made me buy it", but it's also an example of an overrated product. The Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer is the thickest - and most yellow - concealer I own which makes it quite unforgiving as it doesn't melt into the skin in a seamless and natural-looking way. However, if you've noticed the lack of product left in the tube, it's because I've actually been loving using it as an eyeshadow primer as it creates a more solid and opaque base for my eyelids. Perhaps I will repurchase it as an eyeshadow primer - it sure beats the Urban Decay Primer Potion!

The Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer is quite a high-coverage concealer, but I that I absolutely love the look and feel of. It gives me quite an intense coverage which is why I usually reserve it for when I really need it (i.e. dark undereyes or extreme redness), but simultaneously looks incredibly natural and light on the skin. That's a rare combination, but one I immensely appreciate. This is definitely one I cherish in my makeup collection. 

What are some of your favourite concealers?

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