Nicka K Perfecting Eyeshadow Primer Review

Hello my dears, and welcome back to my blog. How was your week?
Trinidad has been extremely hot and humid lately, and as a person who is prone to headaches and migraines, the humidity has been extremely annoying. I've been fighting headaches since Sunday, hence this week's post will be a bit short because I'm not feeling 100% but I refuse to miss a blog post.

Absolute New York Eyeshadow Primer by Nicka K

Absolute New York Eyeshadow Primer/ Nicka K Perfecting Eyeshadow Primer 

Price: $20-30TT

If you have been following me for a while, you know I've been hunting for a good, inexpensive eyeshadow primer that I can use to substitute for my beloved Urban Decay Primer Potion and Smashbox 24HR Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer. I tried the Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeshadow Primer and I hated it, so I decided to give this a try, and see if it was any good because I haven't really heard anything about it. 

• Packaging
• A sleek black tube, with a wand. Nothing special about the packaging on this product

Comes with a wand

• Product
• A creamy, beige primer, that is extremely lightweight and it blends very easily. However, if you're blending with your finger, it is very easy to over blend and remove the product, so I'd advise using a brush. I use the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush just to lightly blending it all over the eye. 

   

  Light, creamy, beige primer

• Longevity
• This product lasts for 6-8 hours on the eye, in extremely hot and humid weather which is great! There was slight creasing around the 6 hour mark, but it's not very noticeable, unless you're looking into a mirror and examining every little detail of your makeup.

After an 8 hour work day, eyeshadow is still intact with negligible creasing

After two weeks of use, I've developed a fondness for this primer. Its blend-ability and virtual weightless on the eye, makes it the perfect primer for a busy work or school day, whether you want to rock eyeshadow or not. The beige colour is enough to even out and mattify the eyelids, so this primer with a bit of your face powder over the top, will work extremely well for your no eyeshadow days. I've been reaching for this more than my Urban Decay Primer recently, so that's how I know I enjoy this primer.

Summary:

1. Inexpensive - $20-30TT at SuperPharm
2. Creamy and Blend-able (best blended out with a brush)
3. Pigmented enough to even out lids
4. Mattifying 
5. Last 6-8 hours of wear

If Nicka K is available where you live, I would recommend it, however, I don't consider it a dupe for either the UDPP or the Smashbox 24HR Primer, so my search for an inexpensive dupe continues. I have the Milani Eyeshadow Primer to try next and I'm super excited to use it. 

I'm contemplating on whether or not I should do a master post of all the eyeshadow primers I have used, and of course informing you of the good, the bad and the downright horrible!

As always thank you for taking time out of your day to visit my blog, I hope you enjoyed and feel free to return, I post every Friday, sometimes I even do a bonus post randomly. Also, feel free to check out my Instagram (@ladyjpsych), my Pinterest and Tumblr (both are J's Mind Palace).

Stay happy, positive and healthy and I hope very much to talk to you all next week.

Bye guys (^w^)/

Mascara Triple Threat Battle: L'Oréal Butterfly vs. Maybelline The Rocket vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational

Hello everybody, welcome back to my blog. This week, I'm going to be reviewing not one, but three mascaras. Now I know I've mentioned the L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in previous blog post, but I was getting a bit bored of it so I decided to try a couple other mascara both from Maybelline, and do a comparison of them and try to figure out which one I like the most. So enough rambling, let's get on with the battle!

L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
Undoubtedly a favourite of mine, I've mentioned in multiple posts including favorites and it is my golden standard for mascara. It lengthens and voluminizes the lashes without clumping, smudging or flaking. It's one of the best mascaras I've ever used and it is a staple in my collection. 

Lash-Out Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black

Maybelline The Rocket Volume Express Mascara

This mascara has had a lot of hype and raving reviews since it first launched, but I was quite skeptical about it so I never tried it out until two weeks ago, and man, do I regret not trying it out earlier. The volume and definition this mascara gives the lashes is crazy. It gives me a more dramatic look than the L'Oreal Butterfly and Miss Manga Mascaras ever did. I have to give credit to the wand on this mascara, it's a rubber want with small bristles that get to ever single lash, including the ones I didn't even know I had. The formula is a bit wet, even after being opened for two weeks, but it doesn't cause my eye lashes to droop throughout the day, it's practically weightless. Another major plus for this mascara is the fact that it does not give me crunchy, brittle eyelashes. I'm definitely going to be repurchasing this mascara, it is indeed now a must have for me!

The Rocket Volume Express by Maybelline

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (Waterproof)

I accidentally picked up this mascara in the waterproof formula, and I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of waterproof mascara, because the leave my lashes feeling crunchy and brittle, however, I got so excited when I finally found it, I didn't realise it was the waterproof formula but I figured I'd still give it a fair chance. Unfortunately, despite being waterproof, I experienced some smudging and flaking with this mascara, which usually never happens when I wear waterproof mascaras. Neither the Voluminous Butterfly nor The Rocket have smudged on me and they aren't waterproof, so I don't know why that smudging occurred. 

Another thing I've noticed, despite this mascara having an identical want to the Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, the Lash Sensational gives the lashes a very natural and defined look, it's not very sensational at all in my opinion. It's a good mascara if you aren't looking for a dramatic lash look, or if you in a rush and just want to pop on some mascara without your lashes looking like you're wearing a lot of product. Honestly, with a name like Lash Sensational, I was expecting sensational lashes, but all I got was a natural and defined lashes. I will continue to use it, but I highly doubt I will be repurchasing this mascara. 

Lash Sensational Mascara by Maybelline

Winner!: Mayybelline The Rocket Mascara!!!

I was completely blown off my feet with the impact this mascara has on my lashes and I will continue to purchase it. As much as I love my Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, The Rocket amplifies my lashes, truly intensifying the drama.

 

I thought about doing this post last night, which is why it's so late (if you're reading this on Friday). I had to wait until I got home from work to complete this post, so thank you all for being patient. Next week's post will be on time (hopefully). Thank you all for all of the support, stay clued to my Instagram (@ladyjpsych), where I'll be posting another IntsaReview during the week and maybe a few more selfies.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and great upcoming week, stay happy, healthy and positive and I shall see you soon! 

Bye-bye (^_^)/

Product Empties #2

Hello beautiful! How are you today?  I hope you had a great week.
Today, I decided to post an impromptu product empties blog post because on Monday morning, while prepping my skin for my makeup, I ran out of my favourite face primer, so instead of chucking it in the trash, I put it aside and noticed I had accumulated a few products I've completely used up and figured it's about time for some empties. 
Now, I'm the type of person who usually only uses up a product if I absolutely love it, so these products are definitely favourites, and some I've actually repurchased multiple times, so let's jump right on in.

Makeup Essentials:

Makeup Removers and Face Primer

Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissues by Nicka K.
If you wear makeup on a regular basis, you probably go through makeup removing towelettes/makeup remover wipes constantly, because I know I do. I stated using the Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissues in October 2013, and I've never ventured to any other makeup removing wipe. These are sold for approximately $28-32TT, which is an absolute steal here in Trinidad, and they do an amazing job removing makeup. My favourite is the one with Pomegranate Extract, mostly because of the scent but there are a couple other varieties to choose from. It comes with 33 tissues and these things do not dry out. They are always wet and they don't dry out the skin or leave any weird residue.
Tip: Always store your wipes face down to keep the moisture from escaping!
I've already started on a new pack of these wipes, and I'm slowly trying to convince myself to give another brand a chance, but for the price and the quantity and quality of this product, I don't think I ever will turn my back on it unless it gets discontinued. 

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Makeup Remover
I mentioned this a favourites post a while ago, and I can't say enough good things about it. It breaks down waterproof mascara and gel eyeliner like no one's business, all while being super gentle and non-irritating to the eyes. I haven't repurchased this yet, as I am testing out another drugstore brand eye makeup remover, so in a future post I'll do a head to head comparison between the two. I believe this cost me somewhere in the $50-60TT range, I can't remember exactly but to me it's worth the cost to have my extremely sensitive and temperamental eyes pampered by an eye makeup remover (doesn't sound spoilt at all) (-__-")...

e.l.f Mineral Face Primer
I have a severe love/hate relationship with face primers, but if you've been following my blog you know that I am head over heels in love with the face primer. It has been in almost every one of my favourites post! This primer is an absolute staple for me, so imagine how sad I got this past Monday when it decided to run out....(T.T)..WHY?!
I don't have a backup of this in my collection, so I'm holding out until I get a chance to repurchase this by using the Primed and Ready by Prestige, but it doesn't work as well as the e.l.f Mineral Primer. I am planning on trying out some more primers in the future because when you live in Trinidad, or any hot and humid country/region/state, face primer and mattifier is a must to keep your foundation looking flawless.  

Non-Makeup Related Empties:

Yes, really a pack of gum!

Nivea Invisible for Black and White 48hr Anti-Perspirant 
I love black clothing. I hate white anti-perspirant marks all over my black clothing! I also hate sweating profusely because I live in the hot, humid Caribbean...yay island life! Anyways, I bought this on a whim, trying to give myself a bit of a break from the search for my perfect deodorant, and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't leave any marks on my black clothing (yes!), however, it has a very clean scent to it, and I am not at all a fan of clean scents. Most people love the smell of linen sheets (typical clean scent), I absolutely hate it! The scent, is enough reason for me not to repurchase it but also Degree recently released in Trinidad, their Dry Spray, under their Motion Sense line, which are hands down the best deodorant/antiperspirant I have ever used. It releases more fragrance as you move and sweat, like dude! I can't recall the price, but I'm sure it was somewhere around the $30TT mark, and it is a good product, so if you aren't off put by clean fragrances like I am, I say give it a try.

L'Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot Corrector Serum Concentrate
As a woman with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), I have had horrible acne, which led to serious hyperpigmentation. It made me very uncomfortable, and as a teenager, I never wore makeup, so it was out there for the world to see. When this product came out, I was super skeptical because I had tried multiple fade creams, lightening creams , d.i.y face masks and nothing worked...but this did.  I've been using this every single day for over 2 years and my skin just loves it. My hyperpigmentation has reduced and even after a fresh breakout, it takes less time for the dark marks to fade. I can not sing the praises of this product enough. It holds a hefty price tag $180TT, but to me it is so worth the money. I am planning on trying the day and night creams from this line, as well as a few more from the L'Oreal skin care line, because I tend to change up my skin care regime every 3-6 months, but this serum remains constant.

Trident White
I love chewing gum. It's a good stress reliever and not as dangerous as alcohol (I don't drink!) or smoking (big no for me also). I tend to go for Trident gum more than any other, not because of the whitens teeth claim, there's Crest 3D White for a reason, but because the flavour of the gum tends to last longer and be more subtle than others. Dentyne Ice gum, is a smack to face when you first start chewing but the flavour fades quickly, however, Trident White is like dipping your toe into the pool and the water is just the perfect temperature, so you can just relax and enjoy.

Now I know the gum was pretty random, but what can I say, I felt like putting something weird in this post, so there you go. Anyways, I haven't done any InstaReviews this week, because I'm still in the process of testing some things out and deciding whether to do a full blog post or just a quickie review. Also, my hair is full on purple ombré now, which makes me super happy, and luckily my boss and supervisors have no problem with it! (Yay for working in research!)

Mother's Day at Grandma's

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Stay happy, healthy and positive and I shall see you next Friday!
Bye loves!
(^w^)/

Review - Jordana Fabuliner

Another week, another blog post!
Hello lovelies, I hope you all had a wonderful week. This week's post is all about the Jordana Fabuliner.

Jordana Fabuliner - Black

I purchased this a couple of weeks ago in an attempt to find an inexpensive and reliable liquid eyeliner pen. In one of my first makeup related posts on this blog, I did a Makeup Battle Royale featuring the Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner Pen and the L'Oreal Infallible Super Slim Eyeliner Pen and I absolutely loved the Milani liner opposed to the L'Oreal. However, in Trinidad, the Milani Eye Tech stills holds quite a hefty price, so when I saw the Jordana Fabuliner was only $20TT, I had to give it a try. I've been using it almost every day since I bought it, putting it through wringer, to see if it holds a candle to its sister the Milani Eye Tech Extreme (Milani and Jordana Cosmetics are sister companies), and I have to say the Jordana Fabuliner, has left me highly impressed.

Swatch Jordana Fabuliner

 As you can see from the picture above, the Jordana Fabuliner is pitch black and matte. I personally am not a fan of shiny or vinyl finish eyeliners, therefore I absolutely adore the finish of this eyeliner. Another pro of this eyeliner, is its lasting power. I cannot stress enough how badly I need an eyeliner that stays put with or without an eye primer, and after consecutive test both w/o eye primer, walking around in humid, midday Caribbean sun, I can say, this thing doesn't budge! Not once did it fade, crease or break down in the heat.

• Picture 1: Slightly dramatic winged liner with primer
• Picture 2: Avon Extralasting Eyeshadow Pencil in Amethyst, Jordana Fabuliner 
• Picture 3: Jordana Fabuliner w/o primer after 10 hours

 My only problem with the Fabuliner, is the very tip of the pen. It looks more like a marker and it's quite difficult to get all the way into the inner corner, but you get used to it after some practice.The very tip of the pen, doesn't deposit much product so to get to the very inner corner, you have to press/stamp the length of the felt tip pen to the inner corner of the eye.

Fabuliner Tip

Summary:
Pros:

1. Inexpensive
2. Pigmented and Matte finish 
3. Long-lasting 
4. Smudge-proof
5. Waterproof

Cons:

1. Tip of the felt marker too wide to go into the inner corner 

All in all, this is a great, inexpensive felt liner pen and I'm surprised that I don't hear much about it. I highly recommend this eyeliner to everyone.
I know that this post might seem slightly rushed, but I really didn't feel the need to beat around the bush a whole lot on this post. I've been super excited to tell you all about this product so I decided to jump right in.
Feel free to follow me on Instagram (@ladyjpsych) where I post randomly throughout the week, and also I have a new Pinterest follow button to the top of my blog page...yay!
I hope you all have a great week, stay happy, healthy and positive.
I shall see you all next Friday!
Bye (^-^)/