Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in 01 Onyx Review

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in 01 Onyx Review

A quick review. It's one of the darkest, blackest eye pencils I've ever used. What's more important is that it stays for hours without primer and does not smudge. I feel that good products need not depend heavily on primers as they should be able to deliver as promised in terms of pigmentation and other factors. Other times, we just want lighter and more natural looks without the fuss of primers, foundations, etc that makes it so much more heavy, don't we? The-non smudge factor is very important especially for oily eyelids. After I discovered this, I've been using it religiously for a period of time and especially when I know I needed to go out for hours on end. Swatches (without primer) below:

Both top and bottom lid lined with Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Eye Pencil

On brows : Shiseido Maquillage in some brown shade 

The finished look. Added on a pair of earrings, lipstick by Stage in 02 Buff Belle on bare complexion, and good to go!

You can see there's a bit of breakouts on my cheeks. I wonder if it's my blusher that cause them so have been avoiding it at the moment, or if it's my make-up remover not doing its job. So, have been scouting for non-comedogenic blushers and good make-up removers. More on that soon.

The Verdict
It's a very good eye pencil to have especially if you have long days and oily eyelids, or a combination of both. A pencil that takes you from day to night, very dark colour that makes eyes stand out, does not smudge, long lasting, basically an all rounder. (I just spent the last 5 minutes trying to come up with something to dislike about this product and I can't think of any!)

Do try it and tell me your thoughts!

Polkadotpaw

Mentholatum Lip Ice Tinted Lip Balm in Baby Pink Strawberry 

Mentholatum is well-known for personal care products especially their lip balms. Years ago, one can almost always see advertisements on TV promoting their lip balms. They were BIG. Are they still? There is a lot of competition today but Lip Ice is still popular, nonetheless. I remember buying their lip balms and applying it for the minty sensation regardless of whether my lips were dry / cracked. I've been through a few lip ice lip balms and have been more than satisfied with their products. One of which is unfortunately no longer available, called Lip Ice French Vanilla. It was a memorable one because of the scent. One of my favourites! Creamy, milky vanilla yet subtle and not overpowering like some of the vanilla flavoured Lip Smackers (you get the idea). Then there's another that I believe is still in the market but I have no recollection of which flavour I bought. Also, another colour-change lip balm that makes me look like I was playing with my mother's makeup as she enters the room and catches me red-handed and had to quickly rub it off - kind of colour. I gave it away almost immediately. And the list goes on. So after going through several lip balms from other brands, I stumbled upon this pretty new release. I had to admit I shy away from tinted / colour change lip balms after the experience with one of Mentholatum's colour change lip balms. Let's see what this has to give:

Packaging - On the outside, looks like a very subtle colour. Nothing in-your-face. I thought it would be a really light colour judging by the container. 

You can see the difference between the colour in the tube and on the container - It's completely different. It's a little misleading if you ask me. 

 Here's the swatches : (Top) One swipe. (Middle) Two swipes. (Bottom) Several swipes. I have to disagree with some reviewers saying that this lip balm is very light. (I read the reviews on the phone standing in the drugstore like an idiot before getting it.) It packs a lot of colour with even one swipe!

Let's see how the colour looks like on my lips. Pictured above; bare lips. 

One swipe.

Two swipes.

Several swipes.

And this is how it looks like on lips - with bare face. Nice colour. I would say it is definitely suitable for warmer skin tones - it doesn't make the skin look pale or anything.

The Verdict 
After using it for a couple of days, I find that it dries my lips. I haven't experienced this before with previous lip ice lip balms, they may have changed the formulations or ingredients (who actually reads the ingredients and compare them one by one? We all douse ourselves in cancerous / harmful / dangerous / toxic substances everyday anyway.) So, it may not be good in the long run as one would expect smoother lips after usage. I've read that certain ingredients (am being serious here) do cause the lips to be drier - camphor and mint. Speaking of which, this doesn't even have the slightest hint of minty sensation in it - why on earth is it still called Lip Ice? The texture of this lip balm is pretty buttery - not waxy at all which is a plus point. But, the fragrance is so strong it gives me a headache. A very strong, synthetic strawberry scent that hits you in the nose when you apply the seemingly innocent tinted lip balm onto your lips. Something that you need to apply right down below your nose shouldn't be so strongly scented in my opinion. It's a huge no-no for those with more sensitive olfactory systems. That aside, it has SPF 15 that protects your lips  from the sun's harmful rays. (Does it sound like it's about the only thing that is valid about this lip balm? Well, I was expecting a lot from this.)
I've listed all the red alerts - Well, one now knows what to expect. Would you be buying this? Tell me!

Polkadotpaw 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette

It's out and the shades look gorgeous!

Images sourced from: http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/naked3/409.html

The new Naked 3 Palette has lots of rose toned and brown shades. Rose toned shades are in and complements almost all skin tones. What's not to love? Am dying to try the colours and see how they look on me! Urban Decay's Naked Palette and Naked 2 Palette have been a huge success for their versatility and very-pigmented shades.


Do the Naked Palettes live up to their hype? Are they as good as they seem?

After using Naked Palette for over a year now, it is safe to say that this is a must-have palette. The shades are pigmented on their own without the need of their ever so-popular Primer Potion. Of course, the colours would stand out better with the primer. The colours are great for everything. I do not regret purchasing the Naked Palette at all! Here is a picture I did in conjunction with the release of the Naked Palette 3 using my Naked Palette (Tried using Toasted to create a rosy hue though it's a little more bronze) :

Shades used: Toasted, Buck, Darkhorse and Sin without primer. See how pigmented the colours are!
Used Darkhorse to line my brows as well.
Other products used: Maybelline Crayonliner in Brown and Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in 01 Black

Polkadotpaw

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 467 Pygmalion

The Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 467 Pygmalion was released as a limited edition for Summer 2013. It's a raspberry shade that gives a very healthy glow to the face. The texture is similar to that of a tinted lip balm, very moisturizing when worn and most importantly, the colour doesn't seep in to cracks of the lips (which is very unsightly).

When I first bought it here's what I thought (posted on my facebook page right after I got it in May):
Believe it or not, this is the first time I bought a lipstick (coming from a make up junkie). The selection available in the market is far too wide though I never found one I loved so I give up looking for one. But this. This is perfect shade gorgeous in every way. Worn with or without a full face it gives a healthy cherry-kissed glow without being over the top. Just wished it wasn't limited edition.

Okay, I have to admit I WAS infatuated with the colour. Maybe it was the lighting at the Chanel counter that makes the difference. After a while, I found that it was a little too deep for my liking. Blame it on the Moods. Well, oh well. I still like it though. I think this is suitable for both warm and cool skin tones. I wouldn't say it's perfect for everyday - a little too red for me and overpowering as a MLBB colour. One swipe is good to go, two swipes OTT. Really, it depends on preferences as well. 

It's true I don't really own one too many lipsticks - Most of which are given as gifts. I have lots of lip glosses though. They're too shiny / juicy to resists! Though ever since this Rouge Coco Shine I've been looking into more lipsticks with sheer coverage that provide moisture at the same time. I love this type of texture! And it's easier to apply and bring along in purses etc. 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks retail at RM95.



Swatches coming soon! 



Polkadotpaw