Eyebrows - pencil, powder or gelcreme?

Eyebrows framed the face and applying a good eyebrow product with the right technique can do wonders.

Pencil - is the quickest way of using an eyebrow product. It's precise and you can go wrong with it. Finding a good eyebrow pencil can be quite tricky as some pencils don't have a great colour payoff. I've tried a Rimmel eyebrow pencil once, where there weren't any colour payoff to the point where I hurt the back of my hand (maybe stop swatching the first time where you can there is no colour payoff?) .
Two of my favourite eyebrow pencils are of course the raved about Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in medium brown and Soap & Glory Achery in brunette. Which are quite similar, the Soap & Glory pencil is a little darker and gives a bit more colour payoff.
I would like to try the Tom Ford eyebrow pencil as that also has been raved about.
I remember when I was younger being recommend to use a black eyebrow pencil and did buy a Chanel one (huge mistake, I looked like a clown). I've learned that as darkskinned, you shouldn't use a black eyebrow pencil but a brown shade (cool or warm tone depending on your undertone).


Powder - gives the most natural look in my opinion. Applying eyebrow powder to make it look natural took me quite a while as it can be quite messy. I use eyebrow powder when I have loads of time to apply makeup. The one and only eyebrow powder I've used is Mac eyeshadow in Espresso and I apply with The Body Shop angled brush.

Gel - as well as the powder this also takes time to perfect in my opinion. A gel last longer and if you have and oily face similar to mine, this will last a long time. Unfortunately I picked up a dark shade of gel and applying it with the lightest hand, it ends up looking acceptable. I've been using Mac Fluidline Brow Gelcreme in deep dark brunette. I've been eyeing up the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow pomade.

If you want something quick and easy go for a eyebrow pencil.
If you want something natural and have a decent amount of time go for a powder.
If you want something that won't budge go a gelcreme.

I have to say that when applying eyebrow products I don't follow any guidelines, I'll look at myself and fill them out to look natural. Remember that eyebrows aren't identical (well mine aren't) and filling them out to look perfectly identical is not a must.

L'Oréal Lumiere Mono Eyeshadow 502 Quartz Fumé - review + swatch on dark skin

This eyeshadow is one of the most gorgeous eyeshadows (I mean look at it!) I've ever owned. I was having a prowl a my local drugstore when this little beauty caught my eye and at first swatch I was sold.
The L'Oréal Lumiere mono eyeshadow in 502 Quartz Fumé is a metallic dark brown/bronze/taupe colour but when applying its also a bit purple running through.
It's a powder eyeshadow thats smooth as butter (if that makes sense) when applied. It really is a beautiful shade and the picture doesn't do it justice.

If you have oily eyelids you should apply a primer before any eyeshadow and it's always a most for me. I use the Urban Decay primer potion which has never failed me and this combo lasted hours. Having oily eyelids is so aggravating some times and as a result of not using a primer, the eyeshadow either disappears or creases and I'm left with a weird line.

Have you tried the L'Oréal Lumiere mono eyeshadow and what were your thoughts?

Make Up For Ever HD Concealer pen - review

This is the second time I've bought this concealer and it's one of my favourites. The concealer has a silicone applicator, which makes applying a lot smoother. First time using the concealer pen, you should turn the of the pen a couple times before the product comes out. Then when applying the concealer, you can either turn the pen 1-3 times depending on how much cover you need. I turn it two times and use a Real Techniques contour brush to blend it out.
I've been trying out a new method where I leave the concealer on to "bake" before blending it out with powder. This new way of putting on the concealer (well new for me), has made the concealer last longer and doesn't make it crease. The powder I use to set is Mac mineralize skinfinish.
I only use this concealer and haven't touched the Mac Studio Finish concealer as it always creased on me. I would like to try out the Nars Creamy concealer but that will have to wait for another time.

What's your favourite concealer?

NARS Casino Bronzer - review + swatch on dark skin

Nars Casino bronzer is darker than the laguna bronzer and has a little shimmer to it. The bronzer was a impulse buy as I was returning a foundation that didn't match me. The salesassistent helped me find a highlighter and then asked me if I wanted something to contour with. She brought the Nars Casino bronzer and applied and I was sold.

This is the only product I use to contour with (even though I'm eyeing up the Make Up For Ever ultra HD stick foundation to use as a contour). It's quite pigmented and the shimmer is not to noticeable, the only thing thats a con about this product is that it's quits expensive.

What's your favourite contour/bronzer?

Worth the Hype? - Nuxe Réve de Miel

The Nuxe Réve de Miel has been hyped about alot. It promises to restore suppleness and comfort to dry and chapped lips. This sounds amazing and though the price point is pretty high, I went ahead and bought it. 

My experience with this lip balm was that it did nothing for my lips. I didnt see any changes on my lips and thought to give it more time. The lip balm has these weird lumps that are supposed to be exfoliating but the lumps are big so the

purpose gets lost as it just rolls on the lips. I've used it all up and I can say that I'll be sticking to my EOS lip balms (they're pretty amazing and not as expensive). The one thing that I did like about this product was that it had a nice orange and honey scent about it. 

This product for me was not worth the hype and I will not be purchasing it again. 

Which lip balms would you recommend? 

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

I needed a new moisturizer for a while and decided to try out the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer. I have oily/combination skin that tends to get really oily towards the end of the day.
I've always wanted to try out a moisturizer from Origins as I've heard great things about them and that the Origins Drink Up Intensive moisture mask is my favourite mask, review here.

The moisturizer is light and is not greasy, it has a orangey smell to it and I love it. I used it in the mornings and evenings after cleansing. Before this my skin looked quite dull and needed a pick me up and after using it for quite some time I could see that my face become more radiant.
Its a light weight gel cream that absorbs quickly into the skin, which is great if you're in a rush in the mornings.
As you can tell by the picture I've used one up and already purchased a new one.

Have you tried this and what were your thoughts on it?