Product Review: L.A. Colors Browie Wowie Brow Pencil and Tinted Brow Gel

Happy 2018 everyone! Welcome back to J's Mind Palace!
I'm starting off this year of blogging with a review of a couple of eyebrow products that I've been using for the past couple of months. Typically, I tend to know whether or not I like an eyebrow product after 2-3 uses, however, I've been making an attempt to thoroughly use and test any products I purchase. It ensures that I'm not basing my opinion on a first impression, and that I've given myself enough time to try various means of applying the product in order to give my truest opinion.

Browie Wowie Brow Pencil - Black 

Honest opinion - This eyebrow pencil is nice. It is not my favourite eyebrow pencil but for the price, it works. I paid TT$18 for this product at Wonderful World, and I've been using it almost every time I do my makeup. The Browie Wowie is a dual ended pencil (product on one end, spoolie on the other), which has a triangular tip, which is seemingly becoming a popular trend among eyebrow pencils from both drugstore and high-end makeup brands. I am personally not a very big fan of this shape because I don't get the control and precision of a slimmer pencil. However, despite the shape of the product, it has a good balance of waxy to creamy texture (weirdest description I've ever given). That is to say, that the product provides a bit of hold to the brows, while not depositing intense amount of colour pigment onto the skin.
I am not a huge fan of the colour of this pencil. Most 'black' eyebrow pencils tend to be a blackened brown, while this is more of a charcoal grey, and it isn't extremely pigmented . I tend to prefer a blackened brown, as it matches my natural hair colour.
If you're looking for something to give you 'natural' eyebrows, this can work, however if you want intense, Instagram makeup looking eyebrows, then this definitely isn't for you.
I often use this pencil to map out the shape of my eyebrows, and then fill it in with my City Color Cosmetics Brow Duo in Medium to Dark (I wish City Color didn't discontinue this 😭) when I want a bolder brow, but for days when I just want a "natural" makeup day, I use the pencil alone with the Tinted Brow Gel in Dark Brown.

Using the Browie Wowie Brow Pencil (Black), and Browie Wowie Tinted Brow Gel (Dark Brown)

Browie Wowie Tinted Brow Gel- Dark Brown

Browie Wowies Tinted Brow Gel in Dark Brown

This Tinted Brow Gel at the time of purchase was TT$18, same as the brow pencil, and I love it! This is essentially tinted brow cement. Once you put this on, your eyebrow hairs are locked into place until you take off your makeup. The colour is a blackened brown which works perfectly with the pencil I use, as it adds some dimension to my eyebrows, and it doesn't look like a pure charcoal grey mess on my face. The brush on this product is tiny, and can grab brow hairs you didn't even realize you had. The only problem I have with this brow gel, is the fact that the tip of the brush/wand, holds onto a lot of product. 

Browie Wowie Tinted Brow Gel Brush/Wand

I tend to wipe off the excess product onto a tissue before running it through my brows, however, the amount of product wasted in the process is very annoying. Yes, it is an inexpensive product, but I genuinely dislike wasting product, especially a good product. 

Comparing this to my beloved NYX Tinted Brow Mascara, this wand on the Browie Wowie is a lot smaller, but the hold, colour and wear time are very similar. I would honestly just rotate the two of these in my collection, until I find something that puts them both to shame. 

What it boils down to...would I recommend these my friends? 

Browie Wowie Pencil - If you need an inexpensive brow pencils that comes in a variety of shades then sure. For the price, it is a good buy.

Browie Wowie Tinted Brow Gel - Yes! It's a great product and it is at a very reasonable price.

Below is the link to my review of the NYX Tinted Brow Mascara for those interested.

https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-nyx-tinted-brow-mascara.html

Thank you all for stopping by the blog to day. Feel free to follow me on my Instagram (@ladyjpsych).
Also, what's your go to eyebrow product? I'd love to hear from you all.
Thanks again, have a wonderful week.
Bye guys (^_^)/

Makeup Play #4: All Dat Drama!?!

Hello everyone!

This past week, I posted a poll to my IG story, asking if I should post the details of my latest Instagram post (see below) here on my blog and the answer was Yes!

Via my Instgram - @ladyjpsych

I'm here today, to break down this look. However, there will be no tutorial or demonstration of this look via video, but I do hope that you still enjoy this post and product breakdown.

Eyes

The star of this look is....(imaginary drum roll!)... L.A Colors Sweet!Sixteen Eyeshadow Palette in Brave.

I will do a full review of this palette at the end of November as I am still playing around and experimenting with the different colours.

This palette provided the majority of the eye look, with the exception of the lid colour..

While there is no video, I have done a bit of a breakdown of the eyeshadows used from the palette, and where they were placed on the eye.

Awkwardly Edited Photo - L.A. Colors Sweet!Sixteen Palette in Brave

N.B. - The numbers correspond with the respective colours, and not the order in which they were applied.

BASE: I used colour #14 as my all over base to set my Urban Decay Primer Potion, and I mixed colours #15 and #16 as my transition shades.

CREASE: Colours #7 and #12 were used in the crease, and they were blended out with colour #5.

OUTER CORNER: Colours #9 and then #4, where used to add depth and smokiness to the outer corner. I also mixed in a bit of "Rebel" from the Tartlette in Bloom Palette, to enhance the smokiness with some warmth.

LID: I'm wearing Makeup Geek's Pigment in Utopia on top of a glitter glue. My eyes are hooded so without a glitter glue, pigments, and shimmer tend to travel beyond where I typically place them.

In order to blend the pigment with the eyeshadows, I used colour #6 which is very similar in colour to Utopia, and it allowed for a seamless transition from lid colour to outer corner.

LOWER LASH LINE: I smudged L'Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in Black, with colour #9, and "Rebel" from the Tartlette in Bloom Palette, for smokey definition to finish off the eyeshadow look.

REST OF THE FACE

Brows: NYX Tame and Frame in Black

Eyeliner: L'Oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner in Blackest Black

Mascara: L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise in Black

Foundation: Revlon Colorstay Whipped in Natural Tan (370) + L'Oreal True Match W6

Concealer: L.A. Girl Pro Conceal in Pure Beige

Powder: Sacha Buttercup (Undereye), Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder in Medium (Face)

Contour: BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush 2 palette

Highlight: Milani Strobelight in Afterglow + NYX Illuminator in Ritualistic

Blush: City Color Cosmetics Matte Blush in Papaya

Lips: NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick in Stone Fox

We've reached the end of this post, and I do hope you all enjoyed!

Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do a live Get Ready with me on my Instagram. Would you guys like that? Let me know either in the comments here, or over on my Instagram (@ladyjpsych). Feel free to let me know if you'd like me to review another product I've used in this post.

Thank you all for stopping by today, and I'll see you very soon.

Bye! (^_^)/





Best in Beauty 2015: Face

Welcome back everyone!
I hope you all are doing well.
Today, I have part 2 of my Best in Beauty series, and today it's all about my favourite face products for 2015. Most of the products being mentioned may have full reviews that I will link to at the end the post.

Primer and Mattifier:

elf Cosmetics Mineral Face Primer

New Bottle

This primer is definitely my top pick for 2015. I always repurchase this primer. This primer blurs my pores, and helps my foundation apply more evenly.
Earlier in 2015, I fell in love with the Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer, but I haven't been able to repurchase it since it hasn't been in stock. However, the elf Mineral Face Primer is cheaper than the Rimmel.

Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer 

I do have a full review of this, but to keep it short and sweet. This mattifies the skin beautifully, and keeps me less oily than I would usually be throughout the day. I love the squeeze tube packaging, and its flat black matte finish.

Foundation:

Maybelline Fit Me: Matte and Poreless 310 Sun Beige

I'm currently down to half a bottle of this foundation. I don't think I have anything bad to say about this product, maybe it can use a pump, then again most drugstore foundations don't come with a pump. This just blends effortlessly into the skin, it doesn't matter if you use a sponge or a brush.
My full review will be linked below.

Concealer:

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal in Pure Beige 

I've never really been into using concealer, but doing my Masters' Degree means long, and sometimes sleepless nights, and I also experience insomnia therefore under eye darkness is my old friend. This shade matches my complexion perfectly, and covers up any discolouration or darkness beneath the eyes.

Setting Powder:

Undereyes: Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Loose Powder

Full review is available.
I have nothing bad to say about this powder. Sacha Cosmetics has greatly improved the quality of their products over the years.
This powder is silky, and just beautiful. I use it to set my concealer under my eyes.
Face: Maybelline Fit Me: Matte and Poreless Powder 

Maybelline Fit Me: Matte-Poreless 310 Sun Beige

Soft, blendable and keeps me matte. (Review will be linked below).

Blush:

Milani Powder Blush in Romantic Rose and City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Blush in Papaya

Both of these blushes are matte in finish, they are also very smooth and pigmented, so a little goes a long way. they blend out easily. Both colours are very neutral, and good for everyday wear.
These blushes wear for a full 8 hours.
The City Color Blushes are a lot cheaper than the Milani, they retail for approximately TT$22-TT$25, while the Milani ranges from TT$55-TT$65.

Milani Romantic Rose (left), City Color Cosmetics Papaya (right)

Setting Sprays: Sacha Fix It & L'Oreal Infallible Pro Spray and Set 

My go-to Setting Sprays

Both set my makeup beautifully, and reduces the "cakey" look that powders leave behind. However, the L'oreal truly prolongs the wear of my makeup throughout the day. The Fix It Spray, while it doesn't prolong the wear of my makeup, does a good job at just setting the face. I tend to interchange my use of these products, hence why they're both 2015 favourites.

I don't bronze, contour or highlight my face, therefore I have no favourites for those categories.


Thank you all so much for stopping by!
Next week, I'll be concluding this Best in Beauty 2015 with Lips. I'm also going to be beginning my second semester for my Masters' Degree, and I am anxious.
As always stay happy, healthy, and positive and I will talk to you all soon.

Bye! (^_^)/

Links:
Sacha Mattifier - http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-sacha-cosmetics.html
Maybelline Matte and Poreless (Foundation and Powder) - http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/07/maybelline-fit-me-matte-and-poreless.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
Setting Sprays - http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/07/makeup-battle-royal-4-battle-of-setting.html