Joico K-PAK Review

WOW WOW WOW!
First of all, may I start with describing to you the state my hair was in BEFORE Joico conditioner, shampoo, treatment;
Well, within a 6 year timeframe I dyed my hair let's see... about 11 times. So you can imagine it was brittle, lots of dry ends, it was frizzy and utterly dull. Now I was looking for a nice cure, even though I tried almost everything on the market including agadir argan oil spray, de leronzo leave in detangler, tresemme and every other shampoos and conditioners that claimed it would leave my hair with more moisture. Now although the agadir argan oil worked, man was that pricey! I also like SO (salon only) products but they were also fairly dear. UNTIL I went to priceattack and was recommended Joico K-PAK (thank you lady who served me!). 
I went on the right day too, they had a sweet pack for $57ish containing

• KPAK Chelating shampoo
• KPAK Conditioner
• KPAK Intense hydrator/Deep Penetrating Reconstructor
• Revitaluxe
• Colour Therapy Styling Oil

Pros

• It really does what it claims! After the first wash of the shampoo, my hair instantly felt repaired believe it or not. My hair felt extremely clean, very light and healthy like it never have before. So then standing in the shower I was even more excited to try the condition - my oh my years and years of damage felt like my hair was instantly repaired. I'm not exaggerating! The intense hydrator was great, my hair felt silky smooth, it looked clean, fresh, smelt great and looked amazing. 
• People complimented me on my "new hair" wondering what I did to it! 
• I would marry it if I could.

Cons

• Everything else smelt amazing except for one thing. REVITALUXE. So  just today I still had some in the shower and decided to condition my hair with that since I ran out of KPAK. Then BAM! The smell hit me! It smelt like pee in the shower but who cares, my hair looks good LOL!
• Now I ran out of KPAK last week and started using tresemme again... anddd... it feels like my hair's slowly going back to normal. 

Overall

• I AM IN LOVE WITH JOICO KPAK. 
• It'll instantly feel like your hair has been repaired  after years of damage. I felt like I spent all that money on things that didn't work for my hair like garnier's hair butter and other shampoos. But to keep it that way I guess I have to keep repurchasing it. 
• The colour therapy styling oil is fanfreakingtastic. It leaves your hair feeling hydrated, shiny and extremely healthy. 

Napoleon Perdis Eye Shadow Review

Hello Hello!
Okay so this review will only be based on 2 eye shadow products only; 

• Single pot 28 Ultra pearl
• NP Set Eye Palette Eye Shadow - Atlanta (I bought this one about 3 years ago but you'll still be able to find it at Napoleon stores, Priceline and Target.

Also know that I haven't been very fond of Napoleon products including their kohl liners, gel liners or primers BUT I do adore their eye shadows! Every swatch I made at their store was so pigmented and were true to their colors. Although it's a little pricey, it's still pretty decent for a product such as this. 

Okay SO!

• Price: Ultra Pearl was about $20AUD and the set was approx. $30AUD
• Packaging: 10/10. The eye patrol pot is the perfect size and is very secure! The NP set I love, although the brush that's included in the set can easily fall out if you tilt it slightly. 
• Longevity: 7/10. With primer, this lasted a while, I was pleased with it but only lasted for about 4 hours or so.
• Overall: 7/10 - Although I love the pigmentation, it's still pricey. 
• My advice: I've seen review on Inglot eye shadow system and have seen swatches and the intensity AND range of colours and i'm very keen on trying it out at Sydney IMATS 2012. So they have a freedom system where you purchase a magnetic palette for about $20 for 10 then purchase the refill pans for approximately $7 each. Which I find is a better value compared to MAC eyeshadows and Napoleon. 

**UPDATE** I am officially in love with INGLOT. However I still do love love love NP eye shadows!! Hopefully I can do a swatch review for you all soon :)

Pros

• Highly pigmented
• True to its color
• Gorgeous colors

Cons

• Faded after a few hours 
• Is a bit pricey for the amount
• A littttttle difficult to apply with a brush... so I pretty much used my fingers to apply.

Overall

• Again as I mentioned already, I find that Inglot's freedom system is a much better value as compared to this with a larger variety.

 28 Ultra Pearl. Excuse the angle I can't rotate it LOL!

 

Pigmentation of ultra pearl

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation Review

Hello All! 
Okay, this was a purchase I made about 2 years ago which I bought for my year 12 formal and must I say, I do not regret it one insy bit! You'll see why!

• Price: If I remember correctly, it was around $35AUD for 30ml
• Packaging: 6/10. 6 Because it's a pump but also because my pump broke on me 
• Longevity: 9/10 Well it lasted me throughout the entire formal night! So what can I say? 
• Overall: 9/10. Best. Drugstore. Foundation. Ever. Period. 
• Note: I'm a MAC NC30 and NARS Medium1 Punjab

Pros

• Easily blendable 
• Great with my sensitive skin! Even when it's dry/oily
• Works wonders with my combination skin during that heated season
• Even though with a SPF 20, didn't cause any white cask in my photos! It looks amazingly natural in photos (also I didn't apply primer, I just applied a strong moisturizer. Some of those who did apply primer did seem to get a white cask. I however did not because I only moisturized) - see why they call it photoready foundation? :P
• Did not cause too much shine for me, even if it did, I would just reduce it with a blot powder.
• Great low to medium coverage with a natural sheer matte finish. Didn't look cakey!

Cons

• My pump broke on me :( 
• Can be a bit greasy and oily towards the end - just use a blot powder/paper :). Some people say it causes A LOT of shine but again blot it out. 

Overall

• Great for my sensitive skin! Dry/Oily/Combination - You said it!

 005 Natural Beige

 My pump broke :(

Left: Swatch Right: Blended out

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Review

Okay, I purchased this at Sydney, Bondi Junction's MECCA store before work one day. The NARS adviser assisted me in finding the suitable shade for me, and which she did - perfect shade actually! 

So just briefly, on that day she:

• My face was already moisturized with Lancome Hydra Zen Neuro Calm
• Applied NARS Pore Refining Primer
• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Medium1 Punjab with no setting powder and with a foundation brush. Note: I'm a MAC NC30.

So,

• Price: I purchased this when they had a sale, usually it'll be $69AUD but I paid a sweet $61AUD for 30ml
• Packaging: 4/10. The liquid itself is very smooth and not as thick as compared to MAC foundations. So when you're not aware of that and open the bottle (with no pump) we all know what's going to happen...
• Longevity: 5/10. Started wearing off after about 4 hours for me
• Overall: 7.5/10. Would be of higher rating if I had NARS Pore Refining Primer. Instead I used my MAC prep+prime skin brightening serum **UPDATE** I'm not using Smashbox photo finish hydrating primer. It doesn't leave any flaky skin, lasts for about 7 hours however gets a little oily. I have really sensitive skin and this combination works great for me... except for the oiliness part.

Pros

• Low to a buildable medium coverage 
• Natural glow! Looks amazing and natural (if you use the NARS pore refining primer)
• Blends fairly well
• Evens skin tone
• Great for sensitive skin 
• Texture is not too thick

Cons

• Extremely accentuates dry spots (if you don't moisturize well enough)
• Causes extreme skin flaking if you have dry skin
• Can look cakey if you have dry skin 

Overall

• Okay, on cooler days I try to limit myself wearing this reason being, as much as I moisturize It still has the tendency to flake and accentuate my dry spots. Again I didn't use NARS pore refining primer in fact I don't even own it. But when I went to MECCA and the NARS adviser applied their NARS primer then the foundation, it lasted and looked natural and simply amazing. **UPDATE** using this with Smashbox photo finish hydrating primer, it looks great! except it tends to get oily. 
• Advice: I would really recommend using their pore refining primer and moisturize really well. People say this foundation is good for dry/oily/combination skin but really, I think those with dry skin should probably stay clear from this.
• Would I purchase it again? Probably... but instead of wearing MAC during warmer seasons, I would wear this baby instead. One day...just one day shall I try Giorgio Armani foundation.

 Medium1 Punjab

Left: Swatch Right: Blended Out

MAC Studio Fix Foundation SPF15 in NC30 Review

Hello lovely people!
First of all can I say I really do like this foundation and is probably one of my favourite foundations except for the fact that this can cause break outs on my sensitive skin. 
My general routine in applying my foundation is followed by:

1. Apply my Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm moisturizer on less dry areas
2. Apply my The Face Shop Aloe Fresh Gel Cream to drier areas 
3. Apply MAC Prep+Primer Skin Brightening Serum
4. With a foundation brush, apply MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NC30 
5. Set the foundation with MAC Prep+Prime transparent finishing pressed powder 
6. Contour with Benefit Hoola Bronzer (with supplied brush)
7. With dense blush brush apply Rimmel London Blush

So overall...

• Price: $49AUD for 30ml 
• Packaging: 6/10
• Overall: 8/10

Pros

• Medium coverage
• Easy to blend 
• Lasts for a longgg time! 
• Does not accentuate dry skin or skin flakiness (that much: again if you have very dry skin like me during cooler seasons, moisturize moisturize moisturize!). It goes on pretty well during warmer seasons too, that's when my skin can get oilier on some days so there's more need to blot powder my face.
• Photographs really well under no flash
• Oiliness does not kick in until hours later
• Does not look cakey!

Cons

• Can clog pores for those with sensitive skin such as me 
• Causes white cask under flash photography
• NC30 can look a bit ashy on some skin tones

Overall

• I really like this foundation because the finish looks natural and the medium coverage. My skin does not have acne/scarring but some redness and clogged pores. It serves well to my redness and evens out my skin tone but as for clogged pores... I needed to maintain more of a skin cleansing routing. 
• Would I recommend this? Yes! 

 Studio Fix with SPF 15

 Yep, my shade is NC30

Left: Swatch Right: Blended out with finger

MAC Prep+Prime Skin Brightening Serum Review

You always need a good canvas before applying foundation on your face :)
So I purchased this at the Parramatta store about a year and a month ago, even though it was pricey, it was worth it! No wait, I lied. I'm not sure how I feel about it actually...

Price: $65AUD
Packaging: 10/10. They have a twist lock! Cool huh?
Longevity: 10/10
Overall: 8.5/10

Pros

• Really did brighten my skin up! My face looked brighter and more vibrant after only a few uses 
• Creates a great canvas. My skin feels smoother and cleaner 
• Evens up my skin tone and reduces redness 
• Long lasting
• Does not accentuate dry spots or flakiness 

Cons

• Okay, it could have been this or my foundation but after a few uses I noticed I started breaking out a little so I came to the conclusion that this clogged my pores slightly. After applying this then applying my MAC studio fix foundation I noticed my skin started breaking out and having some clogged pores and bumps around my forehead requiring me to maintain the skin care routine a lot more. 
• Does not photograph that well with flash but not to worry! Just apply a good foundation with little or no SPF and a decent finishing powder.

Overall

• Overall, i'm pleased with this. It created a nice canvas for my foundation and really did as it claimed: brightened up my skin. On a normal weather day, it would last for hours and hours. On warmer weather, I would sweat a little but it didn't affect it much. 
• Again, with the breaking out, I really just have to keep a constant and much more maintained skin routing.
• Would I recommend this? I certainly would! For any skin type... well for those with sensitive skin, maybe just get a sample first and see that goes with your skin and foundation.

MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder/Pressed Powder Review

So this finishing pressed powder is a MUST. I love it love it love it! Usually I apply it over foundation THEN apply blush and bronzer reason being it can cause the blush and bronzer to look slightly milky and harder to blend out. Overall though I'm really pleased with this purchase and recommend it for anyone! It's a great setting powder that has a sheer matte coverage.

• Price: $42AUD for 6.3g
• Longevity: 9/10
• Packaging: 10/10
• Overall: 10/10

Pros

• Very long lasting! Very rarely do I need to reapply during the day 
• A nice clean, sheer matte transparent finish and it makes my skin feel velvety soft. 
• A little goes a long way so if you're going to apply a large amount, it may cause a white cast in photos. I apply mine with a dense kabuki and pat it on or simply by using a fan brush.
• Does not cause any allergic reactions to my sensitive skin
• Does not accentuate any dry spots
• Does not intensify any flaking
• Goes great with my dry skin

Cons

• As I mentioned already, a little goes a long way. If you apply a little over and take photos with a strong flash, most likely you'll be left with a white cask. 
• This is a great finishing powder during cooler season where you're less likely to sweat. So I wouldn't recommend you wearing this during summer because IF you do sweat heavily, it can look a little milky.
• So I put this in my bag during the day one day and when I got home and opened it up, the pressed powder cracked in little pieces. So my advice, store it in a safe place in your bag that's not prone to damages. 

Overall

• I love this powder, the feel of it, the look of it. 
• Looks natural and not cakey at all (that is if you apply a little bit)
• So long lasting and considering the price... it's worth it!
• Would I recommend it? Yes!

Note: I couldn't take a photo of the inside because again, due to my clumsiness, it cracked! :( But rest assure it's still usable so woohoo!

MAC Prep+Prime Eye Primer - Medium Review

Okay so my mum bought me this primer from the MAC store in Malaysia and it's in fact my first and only primer! 

• Price: $33AUD for 5g
• Longevity: 3/10 
• Packaging: 5/10
• Overall: 5/10

Pros:

• Applied and blended well
• Created better intensity with eye shadow and liner 

Cons

• Creased after about 2 hours 
• Made my lids look oily 
• Eye shadow was smudged

To apply, you can either dip your finger into the pot or apply it with a brush. I would have preferred something similar to Urban Decay's Primer Potion or ever Too Faces Eye Shadow Insurance since it's in a liquid form. 

 Back of packaging

Primer itself

MAC Penultimate Liner in Rapidblack Review

Hello Hello folks!
So yes I have only just started my blog and I will try to be consistent with blogging.
Anyway! Today's review is on MAC's penultimate liner which I bought a while ago and must I say, very impressed for the first few usages of it until about a month or so later. I purchased this at Sydney Parramatta's MAC store for if I recall correctly, $32 AUD because the site itself claimed that "provides the ultimate precise, bold line in a rich, deep carbon black shade." So here's the verdict: 

Price: 7/10 - $32AUD
Longevity during day: 10/10
Longevity overall: 3/10
Overall: 4/10

The first month

• I fell in love with it the first time I used it. The color was rich, it was bold and deep. The carbon black which I was seeking. It also photographed really well 
• The staying power was great. I didn't really even have to use primer for my lids for it to stay! It created that great 'pin-up' look anytime. 
• Handling was really well, the tip was perfectly pointed so rarely did I make any errors. There was no need to feather the liner. 

2 Months later...

• The color dried out and it was difficult to apply 
• The tip wore out and bent 
• The only way I was able to use this was to apply it with the pen on a slant which created a much thicker, messier and less precise line.

Would I purchase this again? Not for $32 I'm not!