Friday, 31 July 2015

Game Corner : The Return!

Hello everyone!
I'm so pleased to announce that Game Corner has finally returned!
I haven't posted a Game Corner is quite some time, and it was simply due to the fact that I wasn't really gaming as much. However, today I have two Nintendo 3DS games to discuss, that you can get in the Nintendo eShop. They are; Pokemon Rumble World and Pokemon Shuffle....yes I am 23 and love Pokémon!

Pokémon Rumble World
  • It is a free to start game, where you battle and collect over 700 Toy Pokémon. It's an easy and casual game that is perfect if you just want to unwind. 
  • I usually play this after I get home from work, to relax. The Toy Pokémon designs are absolutely adorable, and I enjoy the concept of using hot air balloons to get to the different areas. 
  • According to the information given about the game, there are 18 different areas with more than 80 stages, which to me is very impressive and generous for a free game. 
My complaints 
  • In order to catch the Toy Pokémon, they have to wobble during the battle or at the end of the battle and that wobbling increases the chances of catching them. However, I've found even with the items to increase the chance of the Toy Pokémon wobbling, if you're on a stage with only 1 more Toy to capture, the chances of that particular one wobbling are still very low.
  • Even after catching all the toys in a particular stage, you will more than likely end up repeating stages. The stage selection is similar to roulette, wherever the spotlight from the hot air balloon lands, that's where you'll be going. Despite the fact that repeating stages allows you the opportunity to catch more powerful toys, it gets annoying after a while. 
 Despite my annoyance with the repeating stages, I still find myself coming back to this game every evening. To me it's just a great way to relax and take the load of the day off of my shoulders.

Pokémon Shuffle

  • Free to play puzzle game. 
  • It's essentially Candy Crush or Bejeweled, where you match 3 or more of the same Pokémon. Each match sums the Pokémon's attack power, and does damage to your opponent (the Pokémon you are attempting to capture).
  • You have 5 hearts and hearts are used to play the stages (again like Candy Crush) and each heart takes approximately 30 minutes to replenish. 
  • Good way to relax and it is pretty fun to play. 
My complaints

  • None!

Conclusion
These two games are super chill and I do enjoy them on a daily basis, but I know for many people these won't be their cup of tea. If you're trying to relax and you're on a budget and you like Pokémon, why not give these a whirl, you've got nothing to lose!

Now this isn't the end, just yet, I'm now going to list a few games I hope to play in the coming months and that I may include in a future Game Corner;
  • Smite 
  • BloodBorne
  • Batman Arkham Knights 
  • MKX
  • Marvel Contest of Champions (app)
  • Fortress Fury (app)
If there is any game above, that you want me to spew my thoughts on first, please feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

That's all from me today, I may see you on Sunday, for some favourites and/or not so favourites *wink*
Until then, stay happy, healthy and positive (keep that optimism up!)
Bye (^_^)/

Friday, 24 July 2015

Review : Rimmel SCANDALEYES Eyeshadow Paint and Eyeshadow Stick

Another Friday, another blog post.

Hey everyone, how are you today? I really hope you're all safe and enjoying your day.
I'm continuing my month of reviews this week, with a couple of products that I absolutely love!
Today's post is going to be all about the Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Paints and Eyeshadow Sticks. I have two (2) of each product, and I'm most definitely going to pick up some more. Now, I may have mentioned these products in a few favourites post I've done in the past, but I decided that they needed their own time in the spotlight.

I know many of my foreign readers may not care to read a post about these products since they came out a long time ago over in the UK, USA and Europe, but Rimmel has only been available in Trinidad for approximately one (1) year, so a lot of these products are new to myself and my fellow Caribbean peeps. So without any further ado, let's get into the review.

Rimmel SCANDALEYES Eyeshadow Paint
 
Swatches: Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Paints in Pomegranate(left) and Rich Russet (right)


The two shades I own are; 019 Pomegranate and 006 Rich Russet.
I was highly skeptical about purchasing these because I saw many mixed reviews on it. It was either people absolutely loved them or they absolutely hated them. So, I decided to try them out for myself to see whether or not I liked them. 
These eyeshadow paints are not cream eyeshadows, they are liquid eyeshadows and recently liquid eyeshadows have been "trendy"...I don't know, I'm not one who cares for trends. If I like something, I'm going to wear it whether it's in season or out of season, I really don't care.
Liquid eyeshadows are thinner in consistency to cream eyeshadows, so you have to be careful when blending these out because you run the risk of removing the product from the eye. However, when applied correctly, these are longlasting, beautifully pigmented, and great to grab on an early morning when you are in a hurry. I've been using Rich Russet all week, I wore it for my Master's interview with a warm matte brown shadow in the crease, yesterday, I wore it all over my lid with some mascara, and today I wore it as a base for my (Avon) Satin Taupe eyeshadow with a pop of Makeup Geek Insomnia pigment in the inner corner.

Today's Makeup: Lids: Rich Russet as a base, (Avon) Satin Taupe (lash line to crease) and Makeup Geek Insomnia Pigment (inner corner)

Rimmel SCANDALEYES Eyeshadow Stick

Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Blackmail (left) and Bad Girl Bronze (right)
 I have had my fair share of love/hate relationships with jumbo eyeshadow pencils in the past...I'm looking at you NYX. However, these Rimmel pencil have me singing a happier tune. These are extremely soft and pigmented and extremely long wearing. I've been using 008 Blackmail to tightline and the only time I look like panda is when I'm removing my makeup. I tend to use 003 Bad Girl Bronze, as a stand alone eyeshadow all over the lid on days when time isn't on my side. Through heat and humidity these eyeshadows sticks last. They are amazing on their own or you can use them as a base. I am planning on getting more of these, especially since I can get so much use out of them as an eyeshadow base, a stand alone eyeshadow or a longlasting, waterproof eyeliner.

I highly recommend these two products, and no this is not a sponsored or paid post for Rimmel. I am 100% positive that Rimmel don't even know I exist.

I hope you all have a safe and fun weekend.
I hope to see you all again next Friday for another post.
Stay happy, positive and healthy guys!
Bye (^_^)/

Friday, 17 July 2015

Makeup Battle Royal #4: Battle of the Setting Sprays - Sacha Cosmetics versus L'Oreal


Welcome back to my blog.
Today, I have another Battle Royal(e) all about makeup setting sprays. One of which I've used for years, and the other is new to me but I've been enjoying it a great deal. Today, I'm putting the Sacha Cosmetics Fix It Setting Spray up against L'Oreal Infallible Pro Spray & Set.

Sacha Fix It Setting Spray (left), L'Oreal Infallible Pro Spray & Stay (right)
Packaging:
  • Sacha: Throughout the years, the Sacha Fix It has gone through many cosmetic changes. At first it was in a translucent plastic spray bottle, then it was a pure glossy black plastic bottle. However, the new Fix It spray comes in a silver metal spray bottle which I really do like.
  • L'Oreal: This is a matte black plastic spray bottle. I love the matte black and it feels extremely light, so your arms won't get tired when holding it up to spray.

Cost:
  • L'Oreal : $99.99TT; US$16.99 (L'Oreal Paris Website)
  • Sacha: $55-70TT (cannot recall the exact price, but prices vary where you purchase it); US$20 (Sacha Cosmetics Website) 

Product Claims:
  • Sacha: Sacha Fix It Spray instantly sets makeup, keeping it fresh and smudge-resistant for hours.
  • L'Oreal:  Makeup Extender Setting Spray, Long Lasting Finish, extends just applied makeup look. 
Don't expect either of these to keep you mattified throughout the day, because they are not designed for that. They strictly made to set your makeup and hopefully extend the wear of your products.
I will say that when I use the Sacha spray, the finished look tends to seem a bit more lived in but I have oily/combo skin, and I often experience my makeup smudging when I blot, even if I blot with blotting paper. However, with the L'Oreal I don't experience much smudging at all. The places I experience smudging with the Sacha spray are on the nose (glasses wearer, so it's common), under the eye and my forehead; whereas with the L'Oreal the smudging occurs on my nose only.


Scent:
Now I must warn you, the Sacha Fix It spray has a harsher scent than the L'Oreal. The Sacha tends to smell like astringent while the L'Oreal smells a bit like aloe baby powder with alcohol (weird description I know!). I've gotten use to the scent of the Sacha Fix It so it doesn't bother me too much, but if you're sensitive to smells you may prefer to try the L'Oreal.

Winner?! - It's a Draw!
Honestly, I can't choose a clear winning because some days, I prefer the finish of the Sacha over the L'Oreal and vice versa, and sometimes the smudging does not bother me. To me these are both well preforming setting sprays, and what it truly boils down to is how much you want to pay for your setting spray.

Thank you for coming out and reading today's post, I hope you enjoyed. I'm sorry I couldn't choose a clear winner, but at the end of the day, my word is not the be all and end all, what I may enjoy you may dislike.
Anyhow, I do hope you all have a great weekend, Eid Mubarack to all of my Muslim readers, and I shall see you all next week with another review (I'm on fire with these reviews...lol!)

Remember to stay happy,, healthy and positive,
until next time...
Bye (^_^)/

Friday, 10 July 2015

Milani Eyeshadow Primer - Is it a Dupe for Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion?

Welcome back to my blog everyone!
Today, it's all about the Milani Eyeshadow Primer.

Milani is one of my favourite inexpensive makeup brands, and can be found in Trinidad at Wonderful World.
I've been putting off getting this eyeshadow primer, simply because I own a fair few, and I didn't really want to buy another one. If you're a regular visitor, you would know that I've been searching far and wide for an inexpensive alternative to my trusty Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (UDPP) and my Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer.

**I've tried eyeshadow primers from Nicka K (which I previously reviewed; http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/05/nicka-k-perfecting-eyeshadow-primer.html).
**I've also tried one from Rimmel, which I did a quick review on my Instagram (@ladyjpsych).

Now to the Milani Eyeshadow Primer:
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
I've been using this primer for two weeks now, and I can safely say that this is a great dupe for the UDPP.
The product itself is similar in appearance, texture and finish to the UDPP. The only difference I find between the two is the price. The UDPP cost approximately $190-$200TT, which roughly around US$18-US$20 while the Milani Eyeshadow Primer costs approximately $60-$65TT (US$5.99).

In terms of longevity, this primer holds up well. I've gotten between 8-10 hours of wear with little to no creasing or fading whatsoever, similar to the UDPP, in my experience.
After 10 hours of wear.
When I use this product, not only do I use it on my eyelid but I also put some in my brows to help make my brow products last a bit longer during the day, and it really works. Usually my oily/combo skin eats away at my brow products, leaving gaps but since I started priming my brows with this, I've had no problems with that.

Milani Eyeshadow Primer applied all over the eye and into the brows.

This primer is unbelievable especially for the price range. I absolutely love this eyeshadow primer. I've actually put away my UDPP and have been strictly using the Milani primer because it's so good.

This to me is definitely an amazing dupe for the UDPP, I highly recommend it! ^O^

Please forgive me, I know this post is a lot later than usual, got thrown off schedule a bit but better late than never...right?!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and a great week next week. I don't think I'm going to be doing a monthly favourites for June, simply because I did my Favourite Single Eyeshadow posts, and those were basically my loves for June. Feel free to check it out if you'd like. As always stay happy, healthy and positive, come over to my Instagram (@ladyjpsych), I'd love to have you there. I've been contemplating starting a Facebook page for the blog, let me know if you guys would be interested in that in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by everyone,
Bye (^_^)/.

Friday, 3 July 2015

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation and Powder Review

Hello doves, I'm still very ill hence why this post is a little bit later than usual. My sinuses are congested, tonsils are painfully inflamed and I have really bad muscle aches, but I am going to fight through it to get this post up. It's going to be a concise post because I really need to get some rest. It's been over a week, and I'm feeling worse now than when I first got this cold.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation 310 Sun Beige

Holy crap, I love this stuff! My only wish is that it came with a pump. This shade matches me perfectly. If you need a reference I'm a W7 in L'Oreal True Match and NC44 in MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. I've used this foundation with and without a primer for a week, ( I haven't worn makeup since I got sick...yikes!) and I have to say this foundation is awesome.

Firstly, it has a beautiful consistency, it's isn't overly thick but it is not at all watery. It's creamy and super lightweight and it blends like an absolute dream. I use my Real Techniques Expert Face brush, and buff the foundation into my skin. Super quick and easy.

The second thing I absolutely love about this foundation is the finish. The finish is not at all heavy or cake-y, your skin just looks demi-matte and naturally flawless. My makeup area is directly next to a window, so I usually use a mix of natural light  and artificial light to apply my makeup, so I can usually see off the bat if my foundation is looking heavy, and it never has.

Third, this foundation does indeed leave you looking poreless. I personally, have a lot of open pores on my cheeks and around my nose, but with this foundation, you can't tell and that makes me quite happy.

Finally, this foundation, does a pretty good job at keeping me matte. I have to blot a lot less with this particular foundation than usual. I usually have to blot every 2 hours, but with this I can get away for 4-5 hours straight without needing to blot (if used with powder), or 3-4 hours without blotting if used on it's own.

In conjunction with the Maybelline Matte and Poreless Powder, also in shade 310 Sun Beige, the longevity and oil control ability is really great.

Maybelline Matte and Poreless Powder 310 Sun Beige

N.B. I've rocked the powder sans foundation with just a bit of primer underneath, and the coverage is light/medium which is impressive for a pressed powder. It does a great job of controlling oil and evening the complexion.

I wore both to Ani-Market 2015 that took place here in Trinidad, and goodness me did this foundation hold out. I applied it at 8 am, I got wet in rain, got sweaty thanks to high humidity, spent hours walking around the convention with my friends, blotted once during lunch at 1pm, snapped a selfie with one of my best friends close to 3pm, and this is what my skin looked liked (I'm the one with the purple hair)...
Selfie @ Ani-Market 2015 with my Best Friend ChenChen
It's absolute craziness!

In the end, I absolutely love this foundation, before I tried it, I was on the fence about purchasing it, but I'm really happy that I did. It's about $60-$70TT which is cheaper than my beloved L'Oreal foundations, so I am positive that this will be a staple in my makeup collection.

This concludes this week's blog post, I'm going to go lie down and listen to some music and continue fighting this beast of a cold. I hope you all have a great weekend. Ramadan Mubarak to all of my Muslim readers, keep safe during this time. To all of my US readers, have a great 4th of July weekend, keep safe.

Question: If I were to get my hands on the L.A. Girl Nude Eyeshadow Palette, would you prefer to see a review with swatches, or a few looks and review? Comments are welcomed here.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram (@ladyjpsych) I post stuff there, and my Pinterest (J's Mind Palace). I also have a Tumblr under the same name, where I reblog all of the weird/nerdy/psych related things.
I hope everyone keeps safe, and stay happy, healthy and positive and I shall talk to you all very soon!
Bye (^_^)/