Just Bought Products: Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Flexible Coverage Concealer And Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer

     In addition to sharing my views on products that I have tested and used, I thought that I will also have a section called "Just Bought Products". In this type of entries, I will share new products that I just bought and eventually write a review on. On average, I will only review products which I have used for at least 2 weeks.
     For today, the products I want to share are 1) Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Flexible Coverage Concealer and 2) Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer.
     The reason why I bought these 2 products is because I am still on the search for the most suitable under eye concealer for my skin type. I will share some thoughts on products I have tried so far in a different post. In the meant time, here are some pictures of the mentioned products:

Hopefully I wont be disappointed!
Watch this space for my reviews on these products in 2 weeks time.
xox
Note: Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Flexible Coverage Concealer: MYR89
          Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer: MYR99 (review)
          Both were bought at Sephora.

Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit vs. Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper

Hello!
     Today I will review on a make-up product (2 different brands) that is definitely my if-you-have-to-choose-only-one-makeup-product-what-will-it-be. For some people it is mascara, others mention lip gloss and concealer. Personally, I cannot go without my eyebrow groomer. =)

      I started to be concern on how my eyebrows look back in 2009. I think it was in 2009 when thicker eyebrows started to be seen in magazines and I was on board! Given my rather rounded face shape, a thicker well-shaped eyebrows help sharpen my face a little (or so i think! =D) Also, thicker means less maintenance and no painful plucking!  
      The first eye brow grooming product i had was by Benefit.

However, in 2010, i started to use the Natural Brow Shaper by Bobbi Brown. It wasnt because the Benefit product was not working that i switched. Rather, I find the Bobbi Brown version was much easier and faster to apply. With Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit, even though it is not rocket scientist, i had definitely required a lot of practice before i was comfortable enough with the application. 

     Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper on the other hand, is packaged like mascara with a brush applicator also similar to a mascara. This I find easier to keep clean compared to the palette type of the Benefit kit. My Benefit kit got messy after having it for a few weeks. But of course, Benefit's packaging is cuter.

     Application wise, I find it much easier and faster. Even though the brush applicator looks quite big, it actually does the job pretty nicely and offer a more controlled amount application of the product. In correcting mistakes, both products are quite easy to clean off using just a cotton bud- but only when it is still wet! (When dried, both products do require extra efforts to remove, such as soap & water, or make-up remover) Due to the Bobbi Brown's more liquid consistency (Benefit's is thicker), it may be just a little easier and less messy to remove and correct.
      As for their finish, both delivers a natural look. I have never really tried any brow pencils as I fear the overall look will seem so colored on. Both products will not get washed off if you get caught in the rain but will get onto your nails if you scratch an itchy eyebrow!

Currently, there are 4 shades plus 1 clear, available in the US. In Malaysia, only 3 shades are available. The shade that I personally use is the darkest one available here - Mahogany. Although it comes only in a small tube with 4.2 ml of product, it generally last me about 4 and a half months. Price wise, it retails for MYR75, which is quite stiff, but if you do the maths, at least for me, it is MYR18 a month, which is not too bad for a product that I am happy with.

Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper is available at all Bobbi Brown counters.
Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit is available at all Benefit Cosmetics counters and Sephora outlets.

Reminder: Product that works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. =)

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion with Helioplex SPF50+PA++ Anti Dullness

Hi there!
For the first few entries, I thought nothing is more proper than writing reviews on products that I have loved, used and repurchased for a while now. I am going to start with a sunblock that I have been using for the past 1 and a half years, everyday, without fail. It is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion with Helioplex SPF50+PA++ (a mouthful isn't it? =D).
     First off, the importance of using sunblock DAILY (yes, daily and not only when you are going to the beach) could not be emphasized enough! Even if you are an individual who spend most of your daytime indoors, the time taken for you to drive to work, cross the parking lot, and go into your building, are enough time for UV exposure which cumulatively, over day, weeks, months and years, would inevitably affect your environment-exposed areas. Sun spots, premature aging and skin cancer (eeeekkk!) are some of the detrimental effects one could get from unprotected, prolonged exposure to the sun.    
     Since there are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of different sunblocks out there, why do I stick to this particular one? Well, let me first share with you the top 3 criteria that I look for in a sunblock.

1) consistency: i prefer more of a liquid form of sunblock to use on my face as this will definitely feel a lot less heavy on the face.
2) finished effect: no no to the white pasty finish you get with the typical body sunblock you use at the beach.
3) OK for sensitive skin: i have really sensitive skin (in fact, I have eczema. more on this later...=D). since sunblock would definitely have some "heavy-duty" ingredients, i have to make sure it wont cause break outs or more importantly, it wont cause an allergic reaction.

(I guess I should have put point number 3 as number 1 since it is THE most important criteria.)

And I am happy to say, that this Neutrogena product fulfilled all 3 criteria. In addition, the finish effect is one that I highly desire - brightening!

For this particular product, there are 2 variants: one for even skin tone, and one for anti-dullness.

I have in the past purchased both but in the end only repurchased the anti-dullness variant simply because I absolutely love how it leaves my skin looking healthy and glowing! (The effect of the Even Skin Tone one was not too apparent to me and I did felt a bit of a burning sensation on my face when I used it!)

And below is a "swatch" of the product on my hand.....

Yup. It is actually a light purple in colour, but as you smooth it out on the skin, it leaves a healthy glow. (not oily, but just enough shine). 

The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion with Helioplex SPF50+PA++ retails at MYR49.90 and can be bought at any drugstores such as Watson and Caring. 1 bottle lasts me 2 months of great light-texture, UV protected, glowing skin.

Reminder: Product that works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.

=)