Saturday, 28 May 2016

Product Empties: Skincare and Makeup

Hello and welcome everyone!

Today is a quick post about products I've used up, or am about to completely finish, and give you a small update on the products, if I've reviewed them before.

Skincare:
  1. Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub - This scrub is the purest definition of non-abrasive exfoliant. It is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin, as it does not irritate the skin, nor does it have any fragrance or perfume. However, for my skin, it was far too gentle. I have oily/combination skin, and sometimes my skin needs something with a bit more grit to it. Lately, my skin has been tumultuous and this scrub did not cut it. At the moment, I'm back to using Freeman's Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask, which I adore. Although this scrub is nice, it isn't a favourite, and sadly this is one Simple product I will not be repurchasing.
  2. Bio-Oil - I already have a back-up bottle of this stuff. I really love Bio-Oil. It has helped with my hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone greatly. This product is amazing. 
Makeup:
  1. Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Brown - I know you're probably looking at the picture and saying that it is not nearly used up, however, the brow gel has begun to dry out, and the pencil is now merely a stub. This is my usual everyday, go-to product, but I do want to try something different for a bit. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would. It is a great two-in-one product to have especially if you're always on the go, and need to do your brows in a pinch.
  2. Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) - A fresh tube of UDPP is an amazing experience. Perfectly smooth application, that allows for creaseless eyeshadow wear all day.
    An old tube of UDPP is a wreck. I found that the product itself did not apply well to my eye region, my eyeshadows ended up creasing within a couple of hours of wear. I already have a second un-opened UDPP that was gifted to me by a friend, which I will hold onto, because I've really been enjoying my Milani Eyeshadow Primer. Although the UDPP is great, the Milani Primer does the same job, maybe even better job, and is a fraction of the price. Sorry UDPP, you've been benched!
  3. L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Makeup (328 Sun Beige) - It took so long to finish using this foundation, because a little goes a long way. I love the finish and the weightless feel of this foundation. In recent months, Trinidad's temperature has been hitting some staggering highs, and this foundation never completely broke down. My oils would break through the foundation, but rarely did I ever notice the product disappearing from my face. In the extreme heat, it held its ground. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would but only if the price drops at my local stores. TT$100 really??? L'Oreal True Match and Maybelline Matte and Poreless are both less expensive, and I absolutely love them, and I would quicker repurchase them. 
 See, a super quick and simple post. My internet has been dropping all day, hence the super late post. Nonetheless, thank you all so much for stopping by this crazy place known as J's Mind Palace. I'm J, and I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Bye guys!
(^_^)/

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Makeup Play #1: Positive Princess in Pink

For the past month and a half, I've not felt very inspired to play around with my makeup. My go-to no makeup-makeup look, was my constant day to day look, with just minor variations of my lipstick or gloss.

On Monday April 18th, I asked some of my friends to pick a colour, and I would use that colour as the central focus of my makeup for the following day. My friend Z, chose pink (her favourite colour is pink). If you're wondering why I called this the Positive Princess in Pink look, I made a promise to be extra positive and happy, as opposed to my usual snarky and biting sarcasm.

I decided to do pink on pink i.e.; pink/mauve and plum eyeshadows paired with a muted pink lip and I actually really loved it.

Positive Princess in Pink :D
Eyes:

Lid Colour: Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow in Hold Me Tight (shimmer)...(apparently this shadow is discontinued) D:

Hold Me Tight - In varying light, the colour shifts from mauve pink with shimmer to semi-metallic pink


Transition: L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Pot in Bare Mauve (matte)

Bare Mauve is neutral brown, perfect transition shade.

Outer Corner & Lower Lash Line: Avon Single Eyeshadow in Plum Burgundy (matte)

Plum Burgundy - Smooth and blendable
 
Eyeliner: 
L'Oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner in Blackest Black (top)
Milani Shadow Eyez in Almond Cream (waterline).

Mascara: Revlon Ultimate All-In-One

Lips:
Colourpop Cosmetics Lippie Stix in Lumiere

I kept the skin very simple. Using my Maybelline Matte and Poreless Foundation and Powder in 310 Sun Beige, and a tiny amount of my Sacha Buttercup Loose Powder, under the eyes. I used the smallest amount of bronzer around the perimeter of my face.

This was a fun, yet simple look to create, and I had so much fun doing it, that for the next few weeks, I got more of my friends to choose colours for me to build looks around. I will be posting the full details for those looks on the blog in the upcoming weeks.

Question: Should I do short videos demonstrating my makeup looks? I'm not a pro makeup artist in any way, but if you would like to see the method to my madness, please let me know?

That's all for today everyone, thank you so much for stopping by my Mind Palace. This is J, and I hope you all had fun. As always stay happy, healthy and positive, and I will talk to you all again very soon.

Bye
(^_^)/.

Saturday, 7 May 2016

My No-Makeup Makeup Look

Hello everyone!
If you follow me on Instagram, you would notice that I've been rocking some heavy makeup recently.
I've always been a bit of a minimalist when it comes to my makeup, so recently I've been stepping out of my neutral comfort zone, and been playing around with bolder colours, but I do have my days when I just don't feel like putting in all the effort to do my makeup.

For me, makeup application is usually the most fun, and even therapeutic part of my day, however, I've been extremely tired and run down, essentially burnt out, and it takes a lot out of me to pull off what to many may seem as a basic eyeshadow look.
On those days when I just don't have the energy or will to do a full face of makeup, but I still want to look awake, and pulled together, I turn to my go-to no-makeup makeup look. It is a quick and easy look to do, using some of my favourite drugstore products.

Left (Bare Face), Right (No Makeup-makeup look)
From the picture, the difference is as clear as day.

No-Makeup Makeup Look Requirements: These are my personal requirements, however, you can feel free to alter to your own needs.
  • Filled in eyebrows (I wear glasses, so my brows tend to get lost behind my frames)
  • Mascara (lifts my eyes, makes me look more awake)
  • Evened out complexion 
  • Dark circles lightly concealed
  • Neutral lips ( usually matte, although I go for the occasional gloss)
Products Used:
  • Face: L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation (328 Sun Beige)
  • Under Eyes: L.A. Girl Pro Conceal (Pure Beige) w/ Sacha Buttercup Loose Powder to set
  • Eyebrows: Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Brown
  • Mascara: Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara (502 Black)
  • Lips: NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream in London (SM04)  
Unless I've pre-planned a makeup look, this is my go-to look, and I absolutely love it.
This brings us to the end of this week's post, and I'm sorry that my posting is still a bit sporadic, but I'm truly trying to recover from burn out. I did have a scheduled post for last week but it did not come out the way I wanted so I chose no to upload it.

Anyways, I hope you all have a great weekend! Feel free to follow me on Instagram, and/or Pinterest (J's Mind Palace Blog).
Stay happy, healthy, and positive guys, and I will talk to you soon.
Bye (^_^)/

Links:
 L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation 

Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara:
 http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2016/02/product-review-revlon-ultimate-all-in.html

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal: 
 http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/11/product-review-la-girl-pro-conceal-in.html

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