Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint

Hi, ya'll!

This entry is supposed to be up some time ago but due to constant procrastination and packed schedule, I ended up either not remembering or pushing this entry to now.

Anyway... just like the title would say it, I'm gonna share a little bit about the UD Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints. I have had these for quite some time now and honestly I haven't been enjoying them. Most probably the shades don't suit me.

If you don't know, these cheek tints have been discontinued. So, I shan't talk too much about them.

Here's UD's description on the cheek tints.

The tints are so, so smooth that it glides so easily across my skin without having to drag them - which is a plus point.

The shades that I have gotten are Indecent and Quickie.

Like usual, UD has the most classy packaging and I have always adore their products together with their packaging. The cheek tints come in plastic cases with mirrors for easier application.

Well, that is the fact that I like because I don't need to get another mirror just to apply my blush if I were outside. I always find it a hassle to get an extra piece of mirror just for blush application.

Okay, let's discuss a little bit about the shades.

Quickie is a bubblegum pink.

It shows up well on my NC25 to NC30 skintone and I simple adore this shade.

The finish of this shade is dewy.

As for Indecent, it is a nude-coloured tint with specks of fine glitters.

I find it difficult to use this shade - it might due to the reason that I am too dark for this shade. The shade doesn't appear no matter how many times I layer the product on. Even the glitters are not so obvious too.

I won't be talking about the pros and cons of these products since they have been discontinued. However, if you do own these tints and wanna share your thoughts on them, feel free to leave a comment.

Have a wonderful weekend, people!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

I have to admit - I am not a big fan of BB or CC cream. These stuffs just don't do wonder to my skin no matter how many beauty bloggers rave about them. Over the years, I have tried so many BB creams and so far, I am only loving Giverny Real Skinny BB Cream. That is the only BB cream that really stays put and on for more than 7 to 8 hours on my combination skin. A plus point - that is a full-coverage BB cream!

However, I am always open to try new BB or CC cream because I believe I would find something else that I would love.

Some time ago, Urban Decay released a new product call Naked Skin Beauty Balm.

Initially, I wasn't really thrilled by it because I heard the product doesn't cover imperfections because it is not meant to cover and hide. However, it was the second thought that stirred me up - it has a mild fresh minty fragrance. I would trade even my favourite foundation for anything that comes with minty fragrance!

After a long wait, finally the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm reached Malaysian shore! I flew to KL just to pay Sephora a visit as soon as I saw their update on the arrival of the beauty balm.

So, does the beauty balm actually live up to it's hype?

We shall see!

Packaged in a bronze-y tube, I have to say, I love the elegant packaging! There is actually no complain about the packaging.

Even when you are squeezing out the product from the tube, you can actually control the amount of product needed easily so, that is a plus point for me.

According to Urban Decay, this beauty balm is lightweight, velvety and oil-free.

For once, I do have to say kudos to Urban Decay because this product is indeed lightweight, velvety and oil-free! I have combination skin so, this beauty balm really does control the oiliness of my skin especially on the T-zone.

Other that the description above, Urban Decay also claims that the product hydrates, primes, protects, perfects and treats the skin but the perk is - you have to use it continuously for 8 weeks for the effects to be noticeable.

My two-cent on these few points...

Hydrates
My skin was and is never de-hydrated because I am not living in a four-season country. I am not exposed to the air-conditioner 24/7 therefore, I'm not sure whether the product really hydrates the skin or not.

Primes
It is a good primer if you are looking for a good base to stick your foundation too. It really controls the oiliness and well, my foundation lasts up to 8 hours with this!

Protects
It comes with SPF20 as being printed on the packaging. I guess SPF20 is pretty standard, right?

Perfects
It does perfect the skin if you already have good skin! I get a number of compliments from friends and colleagues that my skin looks close to perfect especially when I am wearing this product. I do have large pores and uneven skin tone. Even if the beauty balm cannot cover imperfections, still, it makes the skin glowy and near perfect!

Treats 
I haven't been using it long enough to actually notice a difference but I'd say my skin does look better when I have the beauty balm on.

We shall let the pictures do the talking...

Like what I have mentioned earlier, I have large pores, uneven skin tone, redness around my nose and some pimple scars. I guess only a hardcore foundation can cover them up nicely and perfectly.

Now... let's put Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm to test... hence, another picture of my naked face with mashimaro pajamas and the beauty balm. LOLX! I'm letting all my imperfections shine in glory!

Once squeezed out of the tube, the product actually looks quite orange. I was a little bit sceptical to apply it on my NC25 to NC30 skin tone because sometimes, NC30 foundation would look too orange on my skin tone.

The bad thing about this beauty balm is that there is only ONE shade available. I guess UD must have thought of this beauty balm to be the one-shade-fits-all product.

Nevertheless, it's good to try it out myself to actually know if the shade is right for me.

Surprisingly, once I apply the beauty balm onto my skin, I actually could smell some kinda minty fragrance. I love anything that comes with minty fragrance so, it's another plus point for me. Personally, I would say the minty fragrance is not too overpowering.

I kind of like the feel of the beauty balm on my skin because my skin does feel smooth having it on even though it does not cover my imperfections.

Now, before you start to criticize this beauty balm is not good enough due to it's inability to cover imperfections, please bear in mind that this is not your typical BB cream. It does not mean to cover your imperfections and no, it will not leave you with a flawless skin. I would say it does blur out your pores and maybe a little imperfections though.

I get countless remarks my skin is glowy and from far, it actually looks flawless.

Mind you, I don't have skin like baby's bottom - pores, acnes, scars, pimples, broken capillaries and uneven skintone, you name it, I have it.

Imagine getting remarks from your friends that your skin looks so fresh and dewy from people around you!

Okay, on application, I actually love applying this beauty balm with my Colours Cosmetics Malaysia's Flat Top Foundation Brush because they just go really well together!

Application was easy - the beauty balm does not give streaky application. You can even use your fingers to blend without a problem. Tapping the product on would be good too if you want because you will achieve the same flawless result!

I do like the result - in fact, I love the flawlessness of my skin when I am using the beauty balm. In the picture above, I used 2 layers of the balm and double it up as the under eye concealer.

Result - flawless!

Add a little make-up here and there...

Voila!

I have to admit, this is by far one of the BB creams that I reach for very often. Yes, it doesn't really cover but it is an amazing product!

You can wear this beauty balm on its own and also, as a primer!

That is the truth - it really does hold the foundation and gives a smoother canvas for you to work your magic with!

All pictures taken with flash and guess what - no white cast despite it's a SPF20 product!

Okay, time for longevity test.

I would say, it holds and stays on my combination skin tone with minimal fading. The only fading can be seen at the sides of my nose and that's all.

Sign of a good foundation, BB cream and primer - if your blusher still peeks through, your foundation is doing its magic!

Kudos to Urban Decay for releasing a really amazing product!

Here's a summary of my two-cent on the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

Pros
Blurs out imperfections
Smooths the skin
Makes the skin look flawless
Long lasting
Doubles as primer
Affordable
SPF20
No white cast

Cons
Not enough shades available
Not for people who needs heavy coverage
Sheer
Minty fragrance might be one of the put-offs

I can go on and on about how wonderful this product is but I do understand there are some of us who do not like it. Again, this is not a regular BB cream that will cover, it's only a beauty balm and yes, truth is sad but this balm works for people who do not need extra coverage. If you have a good skin to begin with, this might be the product for you.

Personally, I will be re-purchasing this again once I run out of it - it will be in my HG list for as long as Urban Decay still produces it!

Price?

It retails for RM119 in Sephora.

Urban Decay Naked Basics

I am not very adventurous person when it comes to make-up. I prefer to stick with more neutrals like nude, brown, grey and black. My first ever neutral palette was first version of Urban Decay Naked but the palette was stolen. I told myself then, one of these days, I would replace that palette but after quite some times, I decided not to replace that palette because I could not see myself using all the shades in the palette.

When Urban Decay announced the launch of Naked Basics, I was over the moon for once again.

I have heard so many fantastic reviews about the palette and I surely would want to set my hands on the palette on my own! Did I tell you not? I'm always searching for good quality matte eyeshadows and as far as I know, matte eyeshadows are as pigmented as their shimmery or glittery counterparts. I told myself, "I have to get it to make my life complete."

So, after waiting for the palettes to reach our shore, I rushed out to the nearest Sephora and made my purchase - UD Naked Basics, you are now in my hands, yay!

Once I removed the packaging, I could not stop awing at the beauty of the palette. I could not keep my hands off the palette at all even though I have yet to start using it! Every morning, I would open the palette and smiled at the 6 different eyeshadows in it.

I was in love with the palette.

Yes, that is very true. In fact, I think I was obsessed with it for several months before using it. LOLX! The size of the palette is great if you are always on-the-go. You can easily slip the palette into your bag without feeling you've brought too many make-up products with you.

These are the 6 shades available in the palette. There are 5 matte and 1 shimmery shades.

Venus - a shimmery white shade that is good if you want to highlight or brighten up your complexion.

Foxy - a yellowish neutral shade that is good for highlighting your browbones.

W.O.S - a pinkish neutral shade that is also good for highlighting.

Naked 2 - nudish brown that may appear colourless if you are around NC25 to NC35.

Faint - light beige and I usually use this to darken up my eyeshadows.

Crave - black and certainly not the blackest black but it does it's job decently.

Let's put all the shades and swatches side-by-side for a more thorough comparison, shall we?

If you were to ask me, I would say the swatches are true to the shades you see in the palette so I do salute Urban Decay for their effort. All of the eyeshadows are buttery smooth. Pigmentation is quite good except for Crave, W.O.S and Foxy. They do feel a little chalky since they are matte eyeshadows but they still feel smooth upon touch.

Other than that, I have no complains of the palette at all.

Pros

Neat and great packaging

Big mirror that comes together with the palette

Eyeshadows are buttery smooth

Travel friendly

Cons

Uneven pigmentation

Some shades are chalky

These palettes are priced at RM98 each at Sephora, Malaysia.

Hello, spring!

Spring is officially here in many parts of the world but for us in Malaysia, it's hot and humid all year round. Well, that does not mean we can't celebrate spring, right? There are actually quite a number of products that have been released or are going to be released in Spring 2013.

I am quite ecstatic over few of Urban Decay's products. Actually, there are not  very new but in Malaysia, they are quite new. Introducing the Naked line of Urban Decay cosmetics.

I have done quite a number of researches on the products - Naked Beauty Balm, Naked Basics and Naked Flushed. I wouldn't say they all work for everyone but I'd say, it's give-and-take. Some of us will love them while of course some of us will not like them at all. I guess it's all down to personal preference.

I have added three of those items into my wishlist and best of all, I have crossed out Naked Basics and Naked Flushed. Right now, I am still waiting for Naked Beauty Balm to be available in Sephora Malaysia.

In addition to the spring collection, I have also gotten one of the long-wanted item from Urban Decay.

Yes, it is the All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray.

Urban Decay has released the setting spray with a whole new look of white and purple. I guess the new packaging looks more sleek and easier to travel with. Now, Sephora Malaysia has two sizes available if you would like to try it out - 30ml or 118ml with the prices of RM49 and RM109 respectively.

On my list, there are several items from Tarte Cosmetics that I really would like to try - well... Tarte always has creative and some kinda spring feel to their packaging.

I have really large pores on my cheeks so, if there is any primer that can minimize the appearance of my pores and makes my foundation lasts longer, I'm all in! So, one of these days, Imma gonna try Tarte Clean Slate Poreless and also Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation. Let's just say I need to use up my current products as of now, hence, I won't be getting these at the nearest time.

So, are there any spring products that you're looking forward to?

Urban Decay Shadow Box

As you all know, Urban Decay has been one of my favourite cosmetics brands for quite some time now. The other day, when UD was having clearance sales, I managed to get one of the palettes - Urban Decay Shadow Box.

Oh, if you're wondering where on Earth did I get it from... I joined a spree... I don't think it is available locally in Sephora, Malaysia.

Anyway, this is not a review... I'm just gonna share some pictures and swatches of the eyeshadows with you.

Yeah, sharing is caring just because the palette is so, so beautiful!

The main reason why I bought this palette is because I thought these would be the colours I would be using quite frequently comparing to other palettes that I own now.

I have heard quite a number of negative comments about this palette but well, I don't really mind because honestly... I do like it!

Some colours appear to be chalky and some are too glittery with too much fallouts. Other than these 2 common complains, I can't find anything wrong with the palette at all!

All the colours despite the above complains are quite pigmented and they swatched beautifully without primer!

Best of all, I can just bring one palette for travel!

Have you try out this palette?

UD is forever love

This palette has been in my and stupid sister's collection for quite some time already.

I did an entry on the first time I set my hands on this palette, probably about 2 years ago? Right after we moved to a new place, we forgot about this palette.

So, yeah, Urban Decay Book of Shadows III.

I know, I know, this is way backdated and UD has BOS IV now. Further more, there are tons of other people who has done swatches and reviews on this palette. In addition to that, I guess there are minorities of you out there that hate UD now because they kinda changed their policy that testing on animals is allowed. Yeah, blame it on them for wanting to explore China's cosmetics market.

Anyway, I don't hate UD because no matter what they do, their products are really good. Well, I got the BOS III before they changed their policy, so, it doesn't really matter.

*** update - UD has finally decided not to sell in China! Yay! 

If you have not seen what's inside of BOS III, here is a picture for your eyes' pleasure!

I liked it the moment I saw it online and once it got to me, I fell in love! I especially like the 24/7 eyeliner in Ransom. Although purples don't work for me, I still adore nice shades of purples!

Honestly, every shade is beautiful in the palette. The eyeshadows are all buttery smooth despite most of them are glittery and shimmery. However, there is one matte shade - Perversion. Honestly, I don't think Perversion is the darkest black ever. It is ah-okay but not terrific yet.

I'm not gonna bore you with words, swatches are below.

Oh, I have forgotten to mention - there is a mini UDPP that comes along with the palette. Not enough but at least it comes for free!

Here is a picture of the travel size pencil liners!

Swatches as below.

Initially, I meant to get BOS IV but after a thorough consideration and having Naked and BOS III, I don't think I'm gonna splurge on more UD palettes.

No, it's not because they're bad or anything. They're good and yeah, pricey! Further more, one palette can last you for a long, long time!

Smoochie, smooch!

Update - NYX products can now be bought at Colours Cosmetics if you are from Malaysia and Singapore!

It's two more weeks to Christmas and I'm feeling great - feel like going shopping but then again, boh lui to spend because yes, I am saving for my Singapore trip. It has been 2 years since I last got out of Malaysia and I can't wait to visit Singapore!

*whistling smurf song*

Okay, as the title has said, this entry is gonna be all smoochie smooch, smooch!


It'll be an entry on lipsticks and lip glosses, so... if you're interested, read on because I will be adding my personal touch to those reviews you've read online because what I like may not be the same as others. At the end of the day, you will be your own judge.

P/S - Warning! Long entry with lotsa pictures ahead!

I am not particularly anal about lipsticks, lip glosses or even lip liners but then again, it doesn't mean I will put on every lipsticks out there in the market, especially from the night market where you can get tons of ciplak MAC products. LOLX! My lips are forever dry and sensitive so, if I go wrong with the lipsticks or anything, I'll get chapped lips the next day. Still... yeah, as long as the lipstick is moisturizing enough with average staying power, then, I'll be good with it.

I do believe every girl has her own HG lipsticks or anything. Well, I have mine and sad to say, it's kinda wasteful but then again, I always categorize my HG lipsticks into three different categories in accordance of their prices - affordable, average and high-end.

Let's take a look at what I have in my affordable range.

Affordable Lipsticks

Anything for me that is around RM5 to RM20 would be considered affordable because well... I don't really splurge on lipsticks since I get them FOC most of the times from my aunt and cousins. So, if I do buy lipsticks of the affordable range, it has to be under RM20!

My first choice would be Essence Lipsticks!


Well, these are basically what I have in my collection. I got two of them to try out initially and ended up liking the formula because they're QUITE moisturizing even though the lasting power isn't long - probably around 2 hours or so, then, you'd need to reapply.


Among the four shades that I have, I dig Frosted the most because it totally gives you the frosted lips that I love whenever I'm going for smokey eyes. I don't know about you but I kinda like frosted-looking lips with smokey eyes. It always gives the uumph effect that I want.

Here are pictures of these lipsticks applied on my lips. Please be warned I wasn't wearing any makeup that day because well... bad skin condition, hence, I've gotta go easy on makeup.


From what you can see in the pictures, there is a tinge of colour in every shade but the shades aren't pigmented enough if you were to compare to other brands but hey, with only RM9.90 for each lipstick, what else can you complain, right?
Essence Stay with Me Lip Gloss kinda does it job the BA claimed when I asked her the other day. She told me, "It'll stay with you as long as you don't eat or drink."

Right... no eating and no drinking will kill me! Hahahaha... but other than that, I'd say the staying power is probably around 2 hours too.


Best deal - it retails for RM9.90 as well.

I'd say this is not really the best lipgloss ever because it does feel sticky upon application and you all know no one likes sticky lip glosses.

Next up are lips' products from the infamous brand - NYX.


Go langgar dinding if you're among the online beauty social circle and you have yet heard about NYX. LOLX!

Those are the only NYX lips' products I own because I sold off my RLS in Strawberry Milk as it looked too pale on me.

Take a second look at the picture above - I can't believe I am almost done with Whipped and Sorbet - I can't wait to finish them. Hahaha. I didn't take pictures of these two lip glosses because Eki wears them all the times and she looks 100 or 200 times better than me with these lip glosses.

NYX Round Lipgloss has been discontinued in the official NYX website but you can still get them from ULTA, Cherry Culture or Nonpareil Boutique for around USD$2 each.

Check out my swatches!


Lemme start with the ultimate love from NYX lips' product - Lip Lacquer Pot. I kid you not when I say I love his lipgloss cum lipstick. I don't know whether this product is supposed to be a lipgloss or lipstick but anyhow, it works great on me!


It delivers the subtle pinkish glow any girl would love if you get the same shade as mine - Sweet Pea. Very moisturizing and best of all - I have yet to regret getting this product although I hate the inconvenient packaging that requires a lip brush to dig out the product. It is kinda not hygienic for lips' products to be packaged in a pot without any scoop or anything.

Have you ever face the problem of not being able to test out the products before buying them? Well... a bad purchase of mine...

NYX Round Lipstick in Honey.


Sorry that I made a mistake in labeling the shade.

When I was choosing the right nude shade, I didn't expect Honey to turn out so damn nude that I almost look like a girl without lips whenever I apply this shade. The shade isn't true to what you see on NYX's official website. It is extremely opaque!

If you're going to nude out your lips in order to prep them for other lip colours, then, this shade will do great but if you're gonna wear them alone, it's a big NO, NO! On the performance, it doesn't really last like up to 6 hours but it does last longer than those lipsticks from Essence. They're moisturizing enough if you have dry lips like mine!

Average Lipsticks

So, average for me are lipsticks that retail for around RM30 to RM50. Anything above RM50 for me would be categorized under high-end range.

My pick would be those lipsticks from Stage Cosmetics. Well, what can I say? I love Stage Cosmetics because they're like... one of the best brands ever in Malaysia.


I actually have more than these two lipsticks from Stage but well... I have yet to officialize them yet. Hahaha... Oh, their lipglosses are wonderful but yes, I haven't started using them yet since I'll finish up my NYX lip glosses before using new ones.


Audrey basically comes from the most moisturizing line of lipstick comparing to it's other counterparts. The only down to this line of lipstick is that it doesn't last and when it actually dries up, it'll leave residues on your lips. I don't know about others but it happens to me.


Other than that, I'm perfectly fine with it - the pigmentation is okay and lasting power is average too - probably around 3 to 4 hours if you don't go around and mess with it.

As for Buff Belle, it comes from Stage's Matte collection and basically all shades from this collection are matte!


On the first swatch, I was petrified with how dark Buff Belle looked on hand but when I actually applied it on my lips - it looked wonderful and somehow, it has this nice vanilla scent to it. Hahaha... I'm anal over scents!

The staying power of the lipsticks from the matte collection is longer than the others. So, if you want something that last up to maybe 5 to 6 hours, try this out.

Both collections of lipsticks retail for RM45 at Stage Cosmetics.

High-End Lipsticks

So, any lipstick that goes beyond RM50 for me would be considered dead expensive because on an honest account, I don't go around purchasing lipsticks of high-end brands but if the products work on me, I might consider to re-purchase them.

Enough say.

I bet ya'll will have this image of maybe this...


It's natural... Whenever I drop by Midvalley, the first ever counter I see in Jusco is Chanel... Never have I thought I would end up with one of the lipsticks.

What I have with me is the Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in Aventure.

Yes, I didn't splurge, okay? I got it as a Christmas present and I am really digging this lipstick so much that I don't guarantee I won't be re-purchasing it.


Can you see the tip of the lipstick? I've been wearing this so much ever since I got it 2 to 3 weeks ago and gosh... I should really go easy on this expensive lipstick.

LOLX!

Aunt said it retails for around AUS$30 so, probably, it'll be around RM70 to RM80.

This lipstick, just as it's name suggests, super moisturizing and bet you don't know, it can last up to 8 hours without re-touching! Hahaha... mind you, 8 hours for me and not for anyone else because I tend to skip food and drinks if I'm wearing red. I guess you could probably say the shade is kinda pigmented too.

Next up is the Christian Dior Voyage Collection Lipstick.



I am sorry if you didn't get it because it was released a few years ago and it was a limited edition. So... my bad if I am tempting you. Hahaha.


The shade I have is 255 and I don't exactly know the name since it doesn't come with the name printed on the lipstick.

All I know is... I love the pinkish shimmery tone of this lipstick even though it feels dry on my lips. It's not moisturizing at all but still, I don't mind using it since the shade is so pretty!

I forgot the price - it could be somewhere around RM70 to RM90 per lipstick. I can't remember. That was like 3 to 4 years ago! Hahaha... Don't worry, this lipstick is still good and it doesn't smell awful at all.

The last lipstick that I have - Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Creamy Nude.


I guess all of the girls can never have enough nude lipsticks! Hahahaha... After my first failure with NYX Honey, I turned to my cousin who was a BA for Clinique, Australia for advice and she introduced this shade to me. Best of all, she got this shade for me and I need not pay a single cent to get it. Hahaha.

If you're interested, it retails for USD$14.50 and please don't ask me about it's price in Malaysia because I really don't know.

This lipstick does last quite long - 6 to 8 hours as well and you are not gonna believe it's moisturizing effect, I tell you! The moisturizing effect is miraculous - it glides like magic and it stays like your faithful doggie. Hahaha.

Anyway, here is a swatch of all the high-end lipsticks I have.


So, what's your favourite lipsticks?

Before I end this entry, just something extra to share. Here's a picture of the products finished in November 2011. I'm gonna gear up to finish all that I own so that I can buy new ones. Hahaha.


On another note, I almost forgot I have this palette already until stupid sister digs it out of my stash few days ago!


Holy cow! It's the infamous Urban Decay Book of Shadows 4!!! Hahahaha... Is it 4 or is it 3? LOLX! I can't remember at all.


The eyeshadows are untouched and I have forgotten all about it because I dig my Naked Palette so much!

Enjoy the rest of the week, people!