Brush me good

Oh well, let me bring you a bit of regular brush-porn.

Or, it's just this one so the verbal use of 'porn' would be more of the 1920s-peekaboo-sheer-shirt-without-a-bra type. 

My gawwwwgeous Surratt Artistique Concealer Brush Petite !

I'm still on a journey in brush-land so I do not have anything really constructive to say in the style of sweetmakeuptemptations. However, since I've been stocking some faves from the grande lines like Chikuhodo, Wayne Goss & Surratt I get more of a preference... 

I think that might be the deal. There are so  many experts on beautiful face brushes on internet, but in the end it is you that has to get along with a particular type of brush with that specific blend of hairs.  

I'm also beware of a certain kind of brush-snobbism around: I think there are some fabulous cheaper brushes around that work quite good. Also, on a lously/lazy day I could bring on my best brush but still look like a deconstructed art-project.

With all these beautyblenders around, I still see various makeupartists still working with the power of their hands. 

Nevertheless, I still like this precise little number from Surratt as it is truely firm and gentle at the same time, it packs up the right amount of concealer and you can be so precise blending it in around the corners of that pesky premenstrual pimple.

Same Canvas - New Brushes

't was the time for some investment-beauty!

And so this fairytale does not imply a fairy-godmother, but it does apply a new couple of [semi]-magic wands that my slightly ageing canvas will be delighted about.

* RMCA KO-5 part series palette*

A while ago I discussed a flare up of my skin. I had to take the ease of to baring flesh [think: the gym etc] and buy some high-quality cover for my body. My body is slightly more tan than my face so the variety of the 5 shades are wonderful to match up the different rates of pigmentation. And, ofcourse, it's totally suitable for face as well.

* Rae Morris Square Kabuki no 4*

Let's blame brush-enabler sweetmakeuptemptations for this one [this particular article] and another blog who gave thumbs up for a really good exchange rate on the Aussie dollar. First I struggled to use it properly until I read of using it as a finisher to buff away earlier work done to rapidly [see here, mentioned for the Radiance 7 brush but this one is capable too].

* Surratt Smokey Eye Small*

I was looking for the perfect blending brush for my eyeshadows when I stumbled upon Wondergondigo review [here]. I could not rave more about the softness and efficiency of this brush. Moreover, I found an even better use for this baby: blending in undereye concealer:

The video:

Vincent Oquendo uses YSL Touche Eclat but I've never been a fan of it. I do my version with Charlotte Tilbury the Retoucher and like the effect on blending in concealer for blemishes as well.

* Rae Morris  Brush 2: Mini-Kabuki *

This functions predominantly as my nose-shaper brush. Other uses:

 

Morris also uses it for body-contouring like shaping a six-pack: ofcourse, this one will probably work better when the abs are flat already. Cool idea, btw.

*Chikuhodo Z Series Z-4 Cheek/Highlight*

I'll spare you my measly brush-description skills in order to leave it to the pros of hugely fanatics. But it's pure brush-gasm! My beautiful powder blushers have been waiting for the one and now they have to share him? Scandalous! I have to bring more of these in their lives so the fairytale perfect ending will continue.

Bunny overload [Rouge's] & the UsingUsed

It would be fair to say I took great advantage of the Rouge Bunny Rouge sales:

And my lack of [false] modesty will leave it for showing it here of all the products most of you have been loving already.

What can I say: it's my fave Russian brand and how could I resist?

Line up: (forgive me for not mentioning full names of this elaborate brand)

• Eyeshadow: Mysterious Tinamou, Periwinkle Cardinal & Tantalizing Lovebird
• Duo eyeshadow: A Major fis Minor
• Cream Eyeshadow: Brocade Slipper & Atlas Swallowtail
• Lipstick: Perfume of his Gaze
• Lipgloss: Uncaged Tigress, Counting Wishes (had Coy from a GWP)
• Duo cheek/lip: Samba/Enredo
• Concealer: Eunice

Well, most of you know I'm not a fan of reviewing things too-much-reviewed-already but I'll do a mini-review on some. 

I compared lipgloss Uncaged Tigress with Counting Wishes, and noticed the 'Wishes' is a deeper red I normally would sheer away from. Strangely, I actually love it and it feels like a better blend with my colouring. Perhaps because 'Tigress' has some metallic orange in it that didn't feel the best blend for me.  I still like them both for different occasions: 'Tigress' when I want my lips to be slightly unnatural but more made up, and 'Wishes' for that sensual hue.

The Duo Eyeshadow in 'A Major' has the most perfect cream-coloured highlighter that blends like pure radiance on eyes/corners & perhaps even cheekbones ♥. The brown partner is slightly less original, but still a fab neutral for defining creases.

I expected more from Cream eyeshadow 'Atlas Swallowtail': it looks too unnoticed on my eyes but will make a lovely base for other eyeshadows. I like 'Brocade Slipper': it's not as perfect as 'A Major' lighter side but it's wonderful for a more obvious highlight when naturality is not needed percé.

The Duo Samba/Enredo is my least fave of the lip/cheek-duos, but I suspected this beforehand. I do not do pink-toned cheeks oftenly as they need more work for my complexion. Still, it will be an option for some looks...

And a special section for everything used lately:

•  Madara face toner Dry/very dry skin: old version

This one was half price because of a new packaging (same formula). I liked this toner as it is both soft but slightly adstringent for the oilier zones. That doesn't occur often a toner that is suited for dry skin but still takes care for oilier/larger pore zones. So I really consider repurchasing the newer version, even though most people claim toners don't do anything (I think they do).

• Aesop Fabulous Face Oil

I already discussed it here and really liked the scentual blend for nighttime. But did the oil-concoction convinced my skin for glowing intensively in the morning? Not completely, so the search continues...

• Muji Bath Salt Milk

FINALLY, I was so curious about this one after reading about this on Worship of Blues in 2011! (here)!! I never caved online because Muji's shipping is ridiculously high but I really consider buying it in bulk when in a country that actually has Muji! It smells like the perfect partner for my Balenciaga perfume and I love a good fragance in my bath.

• Vichy Aqua Destock

I've featured this one a couple of times as a good anti-bloat for moody water-rententive legs. So I finished another tube but I often switch cosmetics when I feel my body has become too used (read: lazy) to its ingredients. So I will do that again and keep you updated when using/finishing another anti-cellulite product.

• [too blurred photoshopped] Tammy Fender Antioxidant Cream

It has been a part of the larger travel set for Dry/sensitive skin . I like using natural/organic products but I was not too fond of its pot format. I prefer packagings that are less prone to being exposed to air/oxygen as the ingredients stay potent for longer. Basically, its lovely but for its price I do not consider the results to be too dramatic: I prefer her Intensive Repair cream I discussed here. I still like other elements from this set I will discuss soon, eg the Roman Chamonille face tonic is the most soothing I have found in a while.

Armani Cosmetics concealer: of Old and New

Often we are into that "new is better"-rut. Sorry to use the word "rut", however, that is what it sometimes feels like. I think most beauty-bloggers are totally triggered by everything that has "new", "limited edition" and...at a certain moment..."anti-ageing" will ring some bells too.

I stumbled upon my old Armani concealer as for finding a swap equalizer on Makeupalley. The reviews were quite good and the swatches online even better. Receiving it, I found a quite-near HG concealer I happily brought with me during the summer holidays

So newer-better-more-improved...and all the WOW and HG stories online made me buy the latest Armani Cosmetics Maestro Eraser in colour 4. The older one is the High Precision Retouch.

Ok, the size is bigger! But is bigger always better?

So they are joined sisterly online at the Armani Cosmetics site:

A bigger size and a higher price. Also, one extra colour to choose from.

Swatches:

 

Slightly yuckie Mid-blending swatch: to show new Armani ONLY needs a TINY dot for lotsa product

Last swatch: blended (only the bottom is slightly unblended for reference)

VISUALS:

• The old High Precision Retouch is a better match for my skin. 
• Both have similar to the same smoothing qualities over skin: I liked the old being diffusing enough but not too fake, and the new one diffuses similarly
• Both have the same thin-ness: both quite liquid with a emulsion quality.
• Maestro Concealer needs less product for more coverage

VERDICT:
After buying the new colour I have to say I am still really impressed by Armani's outstanding quality.  However, it is quite similar in my opinion, only the older version being a better colour match. Perhaps I should visit a counter once more to swatch all colours in both types, and see if the colour numbers match up too. The new tube-squeeze formula is more hygienic than the older almost-eyeliner-like brush, but you can work with hygiene by patting your eyeliner tip on a sanitised spatula. And, it's a matter of preference as well as the eyeliner tip-applicator is really handy for being on the road and the option to apply your concealer really precisely without having to bring too many other tools. 

CONCLUSION:
A fantastic new product, but just as good as the older High Precision Retouch in texture and coverage.

Vapour Cosmetics Illusionist: an Organic Concealer

I have been quite into sampling lately and when the opportunity arised to try out a new concealer from Organic Brand Vapour, I was happy to jump at the opportunity.

My skin has been (again) on a sensitive spell lately. Which brought me to the dilemma of covering up and (possibly) continue the irritation but look better, or go barefaced and show the spots.

Both not the best options, so I often opt for a organic concealer to minimize the change of (further) irritation as much as possible. 

Above you see my new Vapour sample and my current favourite Organic concealer RMS Beauty. I bought RMS beauty on the recommendation from Grace at LondonMakeupGirl.

I haven't had much luck with trying out the recommendations of the models/stars/etc but I often really enjoy the precise, accurate and elaborate reviews of the beautybloggers around, the excellent swatches of DrivelaboutFrivol, WorshipofBlues, theNonBlonde, Beautylookbook, PinkSith, LondonMakeupGirl and so many others who really test out products and apply it on real people seeing real results (not that the models, etc aren't real, but let's just say they have lucky genes and most stuff will work for them).

I wanted to compare the Vapour Illusionist with the RMS Uncover in 22 as the organic counterpart, but also with my two non-organic miracle cover-ups: Hourglass Hidden in Natural and Kevin Beautymaker in Light:

So here we go:

Swatches, before blending:


Texture:

• Vapour 020 is of a dryer texture than the other 3. 
• It covers quite well. And even if it is dryer, I can use it around the eye area (although the creaminess of the others works a bit better)
• Because of the non-creamy texture: it makes a good pimple/acne concealer

 Colour:

• Vapour 020 is in the similar colour (depth) family as RMS 22, Hourglass Hidden Natural & Kevin Beautymaker light
• It has a really slight pink/cooler undertone, but not that super-noticable compared to the others.

Swatches, About 3/4 blended:

Texture:

• the two Organic concealers: Vapour 020 & RMS 22, have a similar finish on the skin. Slightly velvet.
• Hourglass Natural has the most creamy glow (somewhat concealer-like, thus better for the eye area)

Colour:

• Vapour 020 is a tad lighter than RMS 22.
• Vapour 020 is listed as a colour for Fair to medium skin, but I would say light to Medium skin colour instead (light being a tone darker than fair)
• Both Vapour & RMS have a neutral (neither warm nor cool) finish
• Hourglass Hidden looks slightly pink compared to RMS & Vapour

Feel on skin:

Before Vapour Illusionist, I have been relying on RMS uncover for both cover and sometimes I apply it thinly as a foundation. RMS Uncover sometimes feels waxy on the skin, perhaps due to the amount of natural oils in it. I cannot use Vapour Illusionist as a foundation on itself because the texture is dryer (I could mix it with a emulsion) but it feels better on the skin when using it as a concealer: not waxy.

Conclusion:

I'm quite happy I sampled the Vapour Illusionist as the non-waxy Organic alternative to RMS beauty Uncover. I think the colour would be too dark for fair skin, but is a reasonable match for light to light medium. It covers well without having that concealer-look. It suits better for covering pimples/acne/spots than to use as eye-concealer, but you can still use it well as an eye-concealer if your eye-area is not to dry.

Availability:

I sampled my sample from Naturisimo.com for £1.00 but they're OOS right now. Americans can sample from their site here. A full size is available over here for £20.00 and comes in a stick-dispenser.