Jill Stuart Blush Blossom 05 Poetic Daisy Review, Swatches, BOTD

(Source: jillstuart-beauty.com/)

Another Jill Stuart limited edition blush to add to my ever growing blush collection~ And this time around I have the generous Ms Vicky to thank! I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends ♥

Name: Jill Stuart ジルスチュアート Blush Blossom ブラッシュ ブロッサム 05 Poetic Daisy
Price: ¥ 4,725 for 5 g
@cosme rating: 5.2 ★
Release date: 6.8.2010

The Blush Blossom range has been released for quite a while, so I won't bore you by launching into a long or even short speech about the packaging since others have done a better job.

The blush is divided into two sides, a sheer cool toned baby pink shimmer tint on the left and it is paired with a medium pigmented rosy shade with coral hints blush glow on the right. It is recommended to apply the blush glow first and then the shimmer tint for a glowy finish.

They are finely milled, smooth and have a gorgeous satin sheen. I absolutely adore pink blushes so I was relieved when I saw that they gave me a flattering rosy flush once applied on my cheeks.

I was really pleased at how soft the brush felt compared to the brush from the Mix Blush Compact. It is too dense for my tastes though, so I will be utilizing my own blush brush.

05 Poetic Daisy is no longer sold at the counters but Jill Stuart is always coming out with new and repetitive colours; you might see this combination soon haha.

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Naruko Review: Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser, Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum, AMPM C12 Two-Step Line Reducing Set

Naruko is developed by skincare guru 牛爾老師 who is a frequent guest on the Taiwanese beauty talk show 女人我最大. I'm crazy over Naruko and with good reason. Their products are inexpensive and they work very well.

ღ Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser

Name: Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser
Price: RM 29 for 120 ml
Made in: Taiwan

The cleanser has a soft moldable almost creamy clay texture and even with the ingrained scrubby beads it is extremely gentle on my skin.

Upon application, it gives a cooling minty sensation and smells absolutely refreshing. I'm rather used to the scent of tea tree in my skincare so I'm immune to it but it might not be your cup of tea.

My face feels clean and fresh after using it and it doesn't strip moisture from my skin whatsoever. It is multi-purpose, besides its main function as a cleanser, it can act as an exfoliant and a weekly clay mask.

I tend to break out less after using this cleanser and I have already repurchased a second tube. It has cemented itself as one of my favourite cleansers ever!

The full ingredient list for Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser:

ღ Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum

Name: Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum
Price: RM 52 for 30 ml
Made in: Taiwan

The super lightweight runny texture aids in hastening absorption.

As with the cleanser, this serum also contains peppermint essential oil which is cooling and this helps to calm the skin somewhat. However, that is the only thing it does. This serum does not check off the other claims in the description - it doesn't do a thing to curb breakouts, lighten pigmentation or refine pores.

I guess I was expecting too much after watching YouTube gurus rave about this serum...

The full ingredient list for Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum:

ღ AMPM C12 Two-Step Line Reducing Set

Name: Naruko AMPM C12 Two-Step Line Reducing Set
Price: RM 99 for 60 ml
Made in: Taiwan

Step 1 C12 Ultimate Line Reducer

It has a silky smooth consistency as with most silicone loaded serums. The high concentration of Vitamin C in Step 1 (12%) makes my skin tingle whenever I apply it.

Step 2 Vitamin C Serum Enhancer

Step 2 has a fluid texture. It needs a little bit of patting before it absorbs completely.

Steps 1 and 2 come in toothpaste squeeze tubes. This design keeps out sunlight as well as prevents oxidation and contamination. They both smell like chewable Vitamin C supplements that I used to eat as a child.

The two tubes used in conjunction gave me wonderful results. I wake up with super firm skin and I noticed this even from my first usage. I didn't notice much effects clarity wise nor does it brighten my skin. I only use these serums during the night time, which is why they lasted quite some time.

I will repurchase once I'm done with the other serums in my stash. They are the perfect anti-aging tool!

The full ingredient list for Step 1 C12 Ultimate Line Reducer:

The full ingredient list for Step 2 Vitamin C Serum Enhancer:

If you are interested in purchasing Naruko, you can get them from the official website or the distributors mentioned on the website.

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Lashem™ Double Trouble Mascara

Double Trouble Mascara promises to create the illusion of bigger, bolder, beautiful lashes that go the distance.

Name: Lashem™ Double Trouble Mascara
Price: US$ 19.99 for 6 ml
Made in: USA

How to use:
Apply the volumizing black mascara first, and then finish with the lengthening fiber black mascara. (Source: lashem.com/)

The wands come out from the tube without much product on them. There weren't any messy gobs on the wands except on the tip of the lengthening wand. I was pleased yet concerned that the formulas would be too dry but this isn't the case at all. There was sufficient product on the wands for a smooth and fuss free application.

Both formulas do not clump whatsoever even after a few layers. I'm also very chuffed to report that they don't make the lashes feel stiff or crunchy after they dry. My one and only caveat: they don't hold a curl well even after some gentle curling after applying mascara.

I'm going to address the wands and effects separately.
1) Volumizing
Comes with a flexible wand. It doesn't really provide much volumization but it does lengthen my lashes.

2) Lengthening
The stubby wand wasn't the best for coating my sparse lashes, I had to be really careful against smudging. It didn't do much lengthening or volumizing. I can skip this side if I want since it doesn't make much of a difference in my lashes.

Although I like the volumizing side, this mascara isn't really for my puny stick straight lashes. I prefer mascaras that give me the effect mentioned in the promises section (right at the top). However, I do think it'd be good for those who are already blessed with long lush lashes because it adds more definition.

Left: with; right: without

The full ingredient list for Double Trouble Mascara Volume:
Water, Stearic Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Glycerl Stearate, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, Isododecane, PVP K-30, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Hydrogenate Castor, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Tetrasodium Phytophosphate, Sweet Grape, Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica, Triethanolamine, Polyisobutene, Isododecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol.

The full ingredient list for Double Trouble Mascara Length:
Water, Octyldodecyl, Behenyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Brassica Campestris, Aleurites Ford Oil Copolymer, Beeswax, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Hydrogenate Castor, Isopropyl Myristate, Persea Gratissima Butter, Trisostearyl Citrate, Stearic Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Hydrophobic Fumed Silica, Sweet Grape Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol.

Lashem has a bunch of discount codes on their Facebook page so go get your like on.

Disclosure: Press samples.

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Liz Lisa Love Pasterine

I'm a Liz Lisa girl at heart. I've been keeping in theme by purchasing frilly lacey items even though I have yet to wear any of them haha~ My heart totally stopped beating for a few seconds when I caught a glimpse of Liz Lisa's 2012 spring collection, it was love at first sight!

Here are some of my picks~

For more pictures of the Love Pasterine collection, check out lizlia.jp!

(Source: Images are from lizlia.jp/)

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Bronze Age

Are you sick of creme, glitter or even crackle finishes? Try magnets! Nails with texture are extremely popular this season.

ღ Ouqian Magnetic Nail Polish 022

Name: Ouqian Magnetic Nail Polish 022
Price: US$ 12.00 for 12 ml

022 is a gorgeous golden bronze. It applies like a dream and two coats are enough to be rid of any translucency. The lasting power is pretty good, I experienced slight wear to the tips the whole time I had it on, which is about five days.

From left: one to three coats

Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

ღ Magnet

Name: Magnet
Price: US$ 13.00

This magnet comes separately. The Ouqian magnetic nail polishes do not come with a magnet, so I had to get this one to try the polish out. Three different patterns are included in this contraption, and the one that I'm most enthusiastic about is the diagonal one which I used in the picture above. It isn't the sturdiest thingamajig in the whole world, but it works pretty well and that is all that matters.

I have to note though that the design is not as faint as pictured (the lighting is too bright) but it doesn't manifest as clearly as seen from China Glaze Magnetix or Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish. I'm uncertain whether this is caused by the magnet (meaning it isn't strong enough) or there's too little iron powder in Ouqian's formulation.

Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

ღ Ouqian Pure Color Nail Lacquer 06

Name: Ouqian Pure Color Nail Lacquer 06
Price: US$ 8.80 for 18 ml

06 is a solid three coater. I expected it to be sheer from the description on kkcenterhk.com but to my surprise it isn't at all. I would have chosen a lighter colour otherwise! That being said, 006 is a lovely chocolate brown colour and the consistency is very nice - it isn't particularly thick nor is it runny. To my delight, it wears very well and doesn't chip whatsoever.

From left: one to three coats

Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Will you give magnetic nails a try?

Disclosure: Press samples.

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