Friday, 30 October 2015

October Makeup Favourites

Hello everyone!
We have hit the end of October 2015, and it is time for my monthly favourites. Some of these products I have spoken about in previous favourites posts, but there are 3 products that have fallen neatly into my daily routine.
Links to past reviews on products will be left at the end pf the post. 

Makeup

Face:  Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier and ButterCup Powder 

Sacha Mattifier and Buttercup Setting Powder (Loose)
I have reviewed these products in a couple previous posts, and I am surprised how easily they fit into my daily routine. The Buttercup powder, has dethrone my Maybelline Shine Free Loose Powder in Medium and is now my go to loose powder, while the Mattifier pairs well with my e.l.f Mineral Face Primer, for flawless looking skin and maximum oil control.
The Buttercup powder is very finely milled, and it does not feel heavy or look cakey on the skin. Definitely a great investment.

Eyes: NYX Tinted Brow Mascara and Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner
NYX Tinted Brow Mascara in Brunette and Milani Eye Tech Extreme in Blackest Black

If you need an easy way to keep your brows in place, while simultaneously filling them in, the NYX Tinted Brow Mascara is definitely a great, inexpensive option. I have the shade Brunette, which works really well for me, but I am very curious to try a darker shade. (For pics of this product in action check out my IG: @ladyjpsych).
I recently reunited with my beloved Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner, and I could not be happier. I was previously using the Jordana Fabuliner, which I enjoyed, however, the finer felt tip of the Eye Tech Extreme allows you to have more control over the thickness of your eyeliner compared to the Fabuliner. Although the Fabuliner is cheaper, I would honestly put out the extra for the Eye Tech Extreme.

Lips: Avon Ultra Glazewear Lipgloss in Palm Beach Pink and Jordana Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm in Honey Love
Jordana Twist and Shine In Honey Love and Avon Ultra Glazewear Gloss in Palm Beach Pink
I have mentioned both of these products in multiple favourites posts, so I'll keep it short.
Both of these feel super comfortable on the lips. They are moisturing, and have a good amount of pigmentation. They are great for days when you aren't feeling to wear much on the lips, because they feel very light on the lips.

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Thank you so much for coming by the blog today. I hope you all enjoyed today's post. Feel free to let me know some of your favourite products for this month in the comments or over on my IG (@ladyjpsych). As always, I hope you have a great weekend, stay safe!
Until next time stay happy, healthy and positive.
Bye (^_^)/

Links:
Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier: http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-sacha-cosmetics.html

Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Powder: http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-sacha-cosmetics_16.html

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara:http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-nyx-tinted-brow-mascara.html

Milani Eye Tech Extreme: http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2014/08/makeup-battle-royale-2-eyeliner.html

Friday, 23 October 2015

Product Review: NYX Cosmetics Infinite Shadow Stick: Rose Gold

Hello everyone!
Today, I have another quick product review on a not so new product by NYX Cosmetics.
I purchased this product on sale at a local store (Wonderful World), and I figured I would put it to the test.
N.B - This product is currently on sale at NYX Cosmetics website. I am not sponsored or affiliated with NYX Cosmetics. All products purchased were with my own money. 
 
NYX Infinite Shadow Stick in Rose Gold

Packaging:
  • This product is a non-retractable cream eyeshadow pencil. It is plastic pencil that you have to sharpen like a regular pencil. I personally would have preferred it being a retractable stick form similar to my beloved Avon Extralasting Shadow Pencils. 

Close up of Packaging
Product:
  • Dry Formula 
  • Pigmented 
  • Crease Resistant and Smudgeproof
  • Waterproof 
Compared to most cream/pencil eyeshadows, this one is quite drier in consistency, so it leaves a very small window for blending out, after being applied onto the lid. However, once it is blended out, it stays put all day. No smudging, no creasing, vibrant colour all day.
Swatch of Rose Gold Infinite Shadow Stick
Forewarning, the drier consistency does make applying liquid eyeliner evenly quite the task. 
Should have probably taken off my glasses, but the dry consistency made my eyeliner jagged.

Final Thoughts:
I do like this product, specifically the colour and staying power, however, the consistency alone is enough to warrant not repurchasing this product or purchasing more from the line. It is not a necessity, nor do I reach for it every single day. Although it sits on my vanity, I'll quicker reach for my Avon Extralasting Eyeshadow Pencils since those are very creamy, and easy to blend, and are also very long wearing, smudge and crease resistant.  
I would also recommend the Rimmel ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Sticks, because they are super creamy and easy to blend, incredibly pigmented and last for ages on the eyes or in the waterline. In the end, the NYX Infinite Shadow Stick is not to me, an absolute most have product.

Conclusion:
Thank you all so much for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. A bit of a heads up, the next two weeks are going to be incredibly hectic since I have assignments, and assessments, so I may have to take a break from posting product reviews, but I have been thinking about chronicling my experience in my MSc. Clinical Psychology Postgraduate journey here on the blog, so that may become a brand new series here.  
As always feel free to check out my Instagram (@ladyjpsych), and also my Facebook (J's Mind Palace). Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and positive.

Bye (^_^)/

Friday, 16 October 2015

Product Review: Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Powder

Hello everyone!
Today, I have a very quick review on the Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Loose Powder. For all my Trinbagonians, you can find Sacha products at Superpharm, Starlite, Pennywise and Sacha Image Centres throughout the country, and prices will vary. I paid between $55-$65. For all my foreign readers, this product is available for purchase on Sacha's website.
  • For reference, I am a L'Oreal True Match W6-W7, and Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless 310 Sun Beige. My skin tone is extremely warm, and you can very easily see the yellow tones in my skin.
Sacha ButterCup Loose Setting Powder
Product:
  • This powder is a very yellow setting powder. For anyone with extremely fair/light skin, this product may be too dark and too yellow for your skin tone.
  • The powder itself is very finely milled, and feels like velvet. 
Application:
Me w. Sacha Buttercup Powder
Sometimes, I may just place the powder under my eyes and along the center of my forehead, but I am lucky enough to be able to use this powder as a full face setting powder, if I use it lightly. Also, I am just too lazy to use 2 different powders.

After brushing off the powder...My lighting sucks :(
Although it doesn't translate in the picture, in person, I do notice a brightening effect from the powder. I don't do the whole V under-eye concealer thing, so it isn't extremely noticeable as it would be if I were to include that step. If you're wondering why I don't do that step, it is just my preference. 

Conclusion:
Sacha Buttercup Powder has been my go to powder for the past two months, and I never expected to enjoy it as much as I do. My first time encountering this product, the texture was very grainy, however, it seems that Sacha did some work to improve the quality, and now I don't want to be without it. 
Sacha products have improved in quality, and I am planning on testing out some more products from their range when I can. 

Please forgive the tardiness of this post, I had classes today, and now I am off to do assignments. Postgrad life yay!
Thank you all so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Stay happy, healthy and positive, and I shall talk to you soon.
Bye (^_^)/





Friday, 9 October 2015

Product Review: Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm doing a very quick run down of the Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer. I purchased this, along with the Sacha Buttercup Powder approximately a month ago, and I've been putting both to the test, however, I shall be reviewing them separately for the sake of time. (Basically, I have assignments due, and mid terms coming up so I need to get to work!)
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Sacha Cosmetics. All products are purchased by myself .

Product/Packaging:
Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer
  • It is a simple and sleek, matte black squeeze tube packaging. Nothing incredibly fancy.

Product Swatch: Sacha Mattifier Face Primer
  • The product itself is a white cream, that blends out and instantly mattifies the skin. It does not leave behind any residue, nor does it leave the skin looking white or ghastly pale. 
Claims:
  • Lightweight
  • Absorbs Excess Oils
  • Smooths the skin 
  • Reduces appearance of Fine Lines and Pores
  • Dries invisible  
Price:
  • This varies depending on where you purchase it. If you live in Trinidad, there are multiple Sacha Cosmetics Image Centres throughout the country where you can find this product. I purchased mine at Pennywise in Trincity Mall, and costed within the range of $32-$50 ( I lost my receipt...sorry)
  • If you don't live in Trinidad, you should be able to find the product online at Sacha's website for USD$20.
My Thoughts:

After using this product for 3 weeks consistently, I have to say whether I use it alone, or in conjunction with my e.l.f Mineral Face Primer, this Sacha Mattifier really does mattify. It lives up to all of it's claims, especially when it comes to reducing the appearance of pores, and smoothing out the skin. My foundations glide onto the skin and blend a lot easier. I do still have to blot throughout the day, but not as frequently as I usually have to. I tend to have to blot every 2 hours on the dot, but with this I can go 3-4 hours without the need to blot., and when I do blot, I only have to use half or 1 blotting paper as opposed to my usual 2. Yes, I normally go through 2 blotting papers every 2 hours when I'm either not wearing any makeup, or I wear makeup sans mattifier.

Wearing the Sacha Mattifier beneath my foundation. I'm a bit shiny after 5 hours w/o blotting.

Conclusion:
 
For a Caribbean girl like me, this mattifier is a great investment. We don't have easy access to many of the international brands mattifying products, and once we do find an option, it usually costs a lot more than its worth.
If you're in the market for a mattifier that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, you could consider this one, or if you want another alternative, Milk of Magnesia is a great mattifier, however, it can clog your pores if you use it everyday.
 
 I hope you all enjoyed today's post, and I also hope you have a great weekend. I have a very busy weekend, and week coming up, however, I will attempt to have a post up on Friday as per usual. Thank you all so much for stopping by J's Mind Palace, and I hope to see you all again very soon.
Stay happy, healthy and positive!
Bye! (^_^)/

Friday, 2 October 2015

Product Review: NYX Tinted Brow Mascara

Hello everyone!
Welcome back to J's Mind Palace! I hope you all had a wonderful week, and are looking forward to the weekend. I have officially started my Postgraduate studies, and to be honest it is a bit overwhelming, but I am attempting to keep up my promise of posting every Friday for 2015.

For today's makeup product review, I will be talking about the NYX Cosmetics Tinted Brow Mascara in the shade Brunette. I picked mine up at Wonderful World here in sweet T and T (Trinidad and Tobago), for approximately $50-$60TT, however, if you live abroad you should be able to find it on NYX Cosmetics website.

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara in Brunette
 My eyebrow hair is black/brown, however, I currently have purple ombré hair, and I wear black, metal-framed glasses, so I don't like going too dark or too warm, where my eyebrow products are concerned. The shade Brunette is a beautiful ashy brown, which works well for me.

Claims: 
This specifically formulated gel adheres to skin and hair for filled, defined, and natural looking brows.

I've been using this product for approximately two weeks, I have to say I am very impressed, and that it does live up to its claim.
Before and After using the NYX Tinted Brow Mascara
Please forgive the slightly messy application, I applied the product right after I applied my Bio-Oil to my skin. P.S my skin isn't flawless, my phone camera was just being super nice today (@_@)

I don't have the greatest eyebrows naturally, I'm in the process of training them to grow, especially towards the tail because they are quite sparse, however, this Brow Mascara helps me to fake it until I get the growth I'm looking for. I've worn this product on some of the hottest days here in Trinidad, and it did not budge. It stood up through heat, humidity, and sweat, even afternoon naps without fading or smudging.
Eyebrows - NYX Tinted Brow Mascara, Lips - L.A. Girl Backstage
I really enjoy this product, and it is definitely going to become a go-to product for me especially since I'm now pursuing my Postgraduate studies, and I do have days where I need to look put together and professional, but I may not have the time engage in a full on brow routine. 
I highly recommend this product, especially for all my glasses wearing friends out there, who are scared of fulling their eyebrows because they clash with your frames, this NYX Tinted Brow Mascara will give you defined brows that stay in place all day, but without the drama and fear. 

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and thank you for stopping by today!
I hope you all have a wonderful day, and wonderful weekend. 
Have fun, stay safe!
As usual stay happy, healthy and positive, and I shall see all of you lovely people soon!
Bye (^_^)/