Fairydrops Candy Bar BB Cream - swatches

So I finally succumbed to the BB cream fad. I have tested some at the duty free shops in Seoul during my last trip abroad but I found that they were all way to light and grey for me. I couldn't see how they were supposed to be a "one size" fits all type of cream.

Recently I was browsing through PrettyandCute and and I came upon the Fairydrops BB cream.  Reviews said that this was the one BB cream that would suit NC30 and up.  So when PrettyandCute offered a 20% discount during July, I decided to take the plunge.

According to the package, this is a high-tech treatment BB cream that makes you photogenic and telegenic :) It contains 5 kinds of treatment essences in it (although they don't say what type of treatment essences) and it contains micro-gold pearls that will hide scars and freckles. It's water proof formula will also prevent your skin from becoming oily and shiny.  The finish is supposed to look like that of a soft focus powder which uses light diffusion to hide wrinkles and make your skin appear smooth.

 They have an interesting spong applicator that's attached to the dispenser, I have used it yet so I can't tell you if it's good or not. I prefer to use a foundation brush that I can wash after each application.

 Swatches of both colors Light Ochre and Ochre with flash.

Swatches of both colors on my skin in natural light. I'm pretty sure I'm an NC30 in MAC and both colors can work for me. 

Before and after the BB cream (no powder or concealer).  I used Ochre in this case. In pictures it looks fine and it does what it claims but in person I felt that the BB cream looked heavy, like I caked it on.   I need to play with the application a little more before I can decide if I really like it.  Maybe it will look better if after I put the rest of my face on ;)

July 2012 Beautybar Sample Society

Contents in this months box include :

*Sisley-Paris Hydra Global Intense Anti-aging Hydration

*Borghese Tono Body Creme

*VBeaute Eye Never Nourishing Repair Eye Creme

*Jouer Cosmetics Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF20 in Bronzed

*Vincent Long duo lip pencil in Sangria and White Glimmer

This months box is a winner for me :) I'm excited to try everything except the lip pencil. I'm not a "lip person" and the Sangria color is way too dark for my liking.  I'm loving these sample subscriptions - the travel sizes are so convenient and it allows me to try everything without having to commit to full sizes.  The only problem for me now is keeping up with them. I'm still working on the samples from my first box which was 4 months ago.

Swatch of the Vincent Long duo lip pencil : Sangria and White Glimmer

 Swatch of the Jouer Bronze tinted moisturizer in SPF20

Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense swatch and review

Swatch of tinted sunscreen

Blending into the skin

Completely blended and no white/grey cast.

Why I love it :

1. It's a physical sunscreen so definitely great for sensitive skin.
2. It has a very light texture and feels great on my skin.
3. It blends out nicely and because it's tinted, it doesn't leave a white cast on my skin.

Birchbox June 2012

I finally broke down and subscribed to Birchbox.  Although I love my BeautyBar subscription for skincare samples, I wanted a subscription with variety. I love how Birchboxes are themed and are made up of lifestyle, cosmetic and skincare samples.

This month's "Jet Set" Birchbox was travel themed.  My box consisted of the following:

The designer Band-Aids from Cynthia Rowley are adorable. I'm glad I got them in my box because I would never pay 15$ for them at the pharmacy.  It's a fun little "Life Style" extra.

I'm excited to try the brightening mask from Masquelogy (at home, not during my next flight ;)) and the Likewise SPF 50 moisturizer will come in handy on my next trip to San Diego.  I love travel size skincare because I hate decanting my stuff into plastic containers.

I'm always happy to try another blush. The Balm's Stainiac in Beauty Queen is a nice sheer watermelon color. I'd probably use this on my lazy days where I don't want to wear full makeup and just want a touch of color on my cheeks.

I've never heard of Ada Cosmetics, so it will be fun to try something new. The sample sent was a mineral style bronzer, it seems similar to Bare Escentuals.  I'm not that crazy about loose powders though, they are hard to use and always end up making a mess.  The bronzer was a little shimmery and orange on my skin but I think I can make it work as an eyeshadow.

Steamcream

I confess, I bought these just for the tins. I have yet to open them and test out the cream which they say is freshly handmade using high-quality natural ingredients fused together by a shot of steam.

I just want to collect all the tins :)  

Check out Steamcream's current gallery of tins.

UNE cosmetics

Along with the Bourjois haul, I also picked up something new from Superdrugs.  They were having a buy 2 get 1 free on all their products.

A brand that I have never heard of called UNE caught my eye.  I love their packaging.  They come in sleek rectangular cases that slide open and shut magnetically.  They even have a handy mirror built on the outside of the case so it doesn't get all greasy or powdery from the cosmetics on the inside.

I ended up picking 3 products: BREEZY CHEEK Blush in B02,  GLIMMER EYES shadow in G16 and SFUMATO EYES shadow in S02.

After doing a little research, I found out that this is a sister line to Bourjois that is organic and eco-friendly.  According to their website, UNE uses :

• formulas 98-100% natural in origin
• no oils derived from petrochemistry
• no parabens or silicones
• no artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances
• eco-friendly packaging to minimise the impact on the environment
• no ingredients of animal origin

I'm loving their products. I should have taken advantage of the sale at Superdrugs and picked up more blushes and some of their foundation products. ARGH. I was being cheap because of the exchange rate and now I am regretting it.

Anyhow on to the swatches :

They Glimmer Eyeshadow is just gorgeous. It shows up a little gold in the swatch, but  in person it is more cool toned.  The staying powder is up to 6 hours without primer and it doesn't crease on my lids (but keep in mind my skintype is normal to dry).

The blush in S02 is just the perfect rosy pink. I should have picked up all the other blushes they had in stock that day. It's a cream to powder finish that just looks so natural on the cheeks.

Sewing Pattern makeup bag

I don't know how long I can resist this. It appeals to the crafter, sewer and makeup lover inside me.

Isn't this cute ? It's by Disaster Designs at modcloth.com