Product Review: L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation and Full Wear Concealer

Welcome back everyone!

Today's post is going to be focused on the L'Oreal Fresh Wear foundation, and the Full Wear Concealer. These  two products have been very widely discussed throughout the makeup world, and they made their appearance locally in Trinidad a few months ago. I've been testing both of these items for the past few months, and I'm ready to give my opinions on them.

L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation

I picked this up in the shade 485 Golden Sun, and it is marketed as a breathable, buildable coverage foundation with 24hr fresh complexion. I purchased it back in June, and I've been using it since. I paid approximately TT$99, at Pennywise. This foundation is one of the most versatile drugstore foundations I own. Earlier this year, I reviewed the Maybelline Superstay 24hr foundation, and I can honestly say that I've been reaching for this foundation over the Superstay on a daily basis.

The Claims: (From L'Oreal's website)

•  Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation provides medium-to-full buildable coverage that lasts all day.
• The formula contains three oil absorbers resist sweat, water, and transfer.
•  The ultra-thin liquid goes on smoothly to give a fresh, healthy-looking complexion that lasts.

My Experience 

After months of use, I can honestly say that this foundation will be an essential for me. It's lightweight formula, that has such a natural finish on the skin, I often forget that I'm wearing foundation. I definitely consider this foundation to be a buildable, medium coverage. While testing this foundation, Trinidad experience a heat wave, therefore, the humidity and heat really pushed the limits of this foundations claims of being sweat, water and transfer resistant. During the heatwave, I did sweat profusely (my air con died right before the heatwave also), and I got very oily in a few hours of wear, but the foundation never cracked or separated. I was able to blot the oil and sweat off without it lifting or shifting the product from my face.
Recently, I've been mixing the Fresh Wear foundation with my matte, full coverage foundations to reduce the intensity of the matte finish, and it has been phenomenal. Its thin consistency makes it the perfect mixing companion for thicker liquid foundations.

Wearing Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in 485 Golden Sun  and Full Wear Concealer in 375 Latte

L'Oreal Infallible Full Wear Concealer - 375 Latte 

This concealer has thrown my L.A. Girl Pro Conceal out of rotation since I first used it. Super lightweight, and creamy formula. It's pigmented and very full coverage that a little goes a long way. I've been using it exclusively since purchase. I usually prefer lighter coverage concealers, however, allergies and fatigue issues have pushed me towards higher coverage. I purchased mine at Starlite for approximately TT$110.

Claims
L'Oreal website claims, "Our extra large applicator provides maximum coverage in one stroke to cover under-eye circles, acne scars, and discoloration. Our waterproof, non-greasy formula won't transfer, fade, or flake so your full coverage look is locked in all day."
In my experience, this concealer does not breakdown, nor does it transfer onto my glasses during the day (yes, I wear glasses). I've not experienced it getting cakey, nor have I experienced any cracking or shifting during hot and humid weather.

Final Thoughts

This foundation and concealer combination has become my immediate go-to since purchasing. I love the texture of the foundation, and it's beautiful finish on the skin, as well as the impeccable coverage of the concealer. I don't regret purchasing either of these products because they are outstanding, and I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to try something new. 

We've come to the end of this review, but I'll be back soon hopefully looking at some eyeshadow palettes.

Bye (^_^)/

Product Review: L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation

Hello everyone!
Today, I'm going to be doing a review of the L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation. This is the first foundation from this brand that I've tried, and I must say I'm very impressed.

The shade I purchased is Light Tan, and it is an amazing match for my warm, lightly golden skin. I got it at Wonderful World for TT$60. It claims to provide smooth and buildable coverage, that has a soft and suede-like finish. Recently, L.A. Girl expanded the shade range to 24 shades, with the addition of 10 shades along the medium to deep spectrum.

My Thoughts 
This foundation is honestly one of the best "drugstore" foundations I've tried. I would say this is a solid medium to full coverage foundation. This foundation is a thick liquid but it glides onto the skin effortlessly. It is very easy to blend out with both a brush or blending sponge. I use either the elf Ultimate Blending Brush, or the Sacha Cosmetics Blending Sponge for my application, and I get even coverage every time. This has a suede/matte finish, which makes it suitable for combination and oily skin, and even for a hot and humid climate like we have here in Trinidad. If you have a drier skin type, I believe this in combination with hydrating skin care and a hydrating primer can work for you. However, if you're not a fan of full coverage, suede/matte finish foundations, this definitely is not the product for you.

I have combination-oily skin, and this foundation manages to maintain its integrity through humidity and the oil slick that is my T-zone. It doesn't separate or breakdown, and there is little to no transfer once it is properly blended into the skin. This also happens to be one of the best shade matches I have in drugstore foundations. It's the warm yellow undertone that I need!

Wearing L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation in Light Tan

 I've really been enjoying this foundation, and I've been using it in combination with the L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation, and they make a gorgeous combination.

Conclusion 

I thoroughly enjoy using this foundation and given it's suede finish and longevity during heat and humidity, I would recommend it for persons looking for a "special occasion" foundation on a budget. A great inexpensive full coverage with a decent shade range. L.A. Girl released some Pro Color Foundation Mixing Pigments to work with the current shades in their range in order to cater to more skin tones, however, I hope in the future they will further expand their range.
This is the end of this post. I decided to make it short and sweet since I'm now getting back into the swing of things.
I will be doing a review on the L'Oreal Fresh Wear foundation and Full Wear concealer soon. I'm working on product shots for other posts including the second part of my Juvia's Place palette collection.
I hope you all have a fantastic week ahead, and I shall see you soon!
(^_^)/

Makeup Battle Royal: NYX Microbrow vs. Absolute New York Super Slim Eyebrow Pencil

It's time for another Makeup Battle Royal!
I've been stewing on this post for some time now but I'm finally ready to get my thoughts out.
Today's battle is all about super slim eyebrow pencils, and the NYX Microbrow has quite frankly been one of the most popular and hyped eyebrow pencils on the market.  I've had this brow pencil sitting in my collection for some time because I got hooked on the Absolute New York Super Slim Eyebrow Pencil.

Absolute New York (ABNY) Super Slim Eyebrow Pencil
I bought this pencil on a whim while Wonderful World TT was having one of their Semi-Annual sales since I was in the market for a new eyebrow pencil. At the time of the sale it cost around TT$55, which is definitely on the inexpensive side for slim eyebrow pencil. I've been using this pencil off and on for approximately six months. This pencil is extremely creamy, and has great pigmentation, so a little goes a long way. This pencil allows me to fake hair like strokes which is great for producing more "natural" looking eyebrows as opposed to the more full and structured eyebrows that are popular on social media. What I truly love about this pencil is the colour. This pencil is the perfect cool-toned ashen grey black which matches my natural hair perfectly. I have naturally black eyebrows, and most dark brown pencils tend to run far too warm on me, and it tends to make my eyebrows look unnatural.This never looks overly harsh, and blends easily into my hairs with the spoolie.

Wearing ABNY Super Slim Eyebrow Pencil

NYX MicroBrow Eyebrow Pencil

I purchased the Microbrow at Starlite for TT$75 in the shade Black, hoping it would perform similarly to the ABNY Super Slim. One the first use, I did not like this pencil at all. It was hard, and was barely getting the pigment to show up. I felt as though I had to continuously drag the pencil over the eyebrow just to get the pigment to build. The second time I used this I decided to run the pencil along the back of my hand first, in order to warm it up to see if that would aid the application, and it did. With the product warmed up, it applied easier, and blended into my brow hairs fairly well. Similar to the ABNY pencil, the size of the pencil as well as the colour make it easy for me to fake hair like strokes, to produce a more natural looking eyebrow. However, it should be noted that the MicroBrow is still a bit larger than the ABNY Super Slim.

NYX MicroBrow vs Natural Eyebrow

I think it's important to note that every person has their own preferences when it comes to brow pencils. Some prefer a harder pencil, while others prefer something softer. I personally love something that's soft, but not overly soft because that tends to lead to fading and smudging throughout the day, and I'm pretty sure no one wants their eyebrow to smudge off by midday, especially if you live in a hot and humid environment. ABNY Super Slim Eyebrow Pencil can fade or smudge if too much product is applied. However, if it's evenly applied, it can last for up to 8-10 hours. The NYX Microbrow has similar lasting power, however, it takes work for it to build on itself.

NYX MicroBrow and ABNY Super Slim

Final Thoughts

In Trinidad, the NYX Microbrow ranges from TT$75-$90, which is far too expensive for something meant to be a drugstore/inexpensive brand, and NYX can mainly be found at Starlite or at the NYX Kiosk at Trincity Mall. ABNY is mainly found in Wonderful World stores and can range from TT$55-TT$75 for this product. Honestly for me, the ABNY Super Slim does exactly what I need it to do,therefore, between the two pencils, the ABNY Super Slim is my preferred mainly due to the creamy texture of the pencil and its price.

Should I do an eyebrow routine video? Please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by!
Bye guys (^_^)/

Product Review: Sacha Cosmetics Pro Powder Foundation

Hello lovelies! Welcome back!
Today, I was planning on posting a time lapse video of me applying a quick and easy makeup look, however, my video quality was extremely poor. I'll continue to test out filming conditions because I would like to post some videos both here and on my social media platforms.
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Sacha Cosmetics. All products are purchased by myself .

A staple product for my quick, and easy makeup days is the Sacha Pro Powder Foundation. I purchased this foundation in July 2018, and it's one of my favourite products I've ever used. On Sacha's website, it retails for TT$75, however, if you purchase it at one of their Image Centers and you have their loyalty card, it will be discounted.

Sacha Pro Powder Foundation - Pure Beige

Shade
I purchased it in the shade Pure Beige, after being matched by one of the artists at the Image Center located in Trincity Mall. It is a perfect match for my yellow undertone. Most foundations tend to pull too cool-toned (pink) on my complexion.
If you're curious about my other foundation matches:

• 310 Sun Beige in Maybelline Superstay Foundation
• W6 Sun Beige L'Oreal True Match 
• 370 Natural Tan Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation

Product Claims

On their website, Sacha describes this product as "oil-free, 2-in-1 powder foundation absorbs oil and eliminates shine all day long. Quick and easy to apply, it provides full coverage, fits like a second skin and gives you a flawless airbrushed finish."

My Experience 

I use this product with a dry Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, and buff it in with my Urban Studios Buffing Brush and I do get a medium-to full coverage. The coverage depends on how much product you load onto the sponge in my opinion. It feels extremely lightweight on the skin, and it tends to trick the untrained eye into thinking you have flawless skin. Every time I've worn this foundation, I've been complimented and asked what I use on my skin to make it look seamless and flawless. 

In terms of oil absorption and eliminating all day shine, that's where I have to dispute these claims. I have combination-oily skin, and currently in Trinidad, it has been hotter than Satan's armpit. Coupled with having PCOS which causes my hormones to fluctuate, this powder does not eliminate my oily sheen all day. After 3-4 hours of wear, if I'm out and about, I will have to blot and do a small touch up around my nose as it tends to break down fastest there. However, if I'm indoors in air-con, I stay shine free for longer. 

I've also used this product to set my liquid foundation, and it helps extend the life of my foundation, as well as balance my complexion, if my foundation is running too cool. I really enjoy using it for minor touch ups, since it has a huge mirror.  

I never expect to have any powder or foundation last long on me however, despite the fact that it sometimes breaks down around my nose, elsewhere on my face, it tends to stay in place. Oils may peak through but the powder lasts. (My nose is a beacon of oiliness!) If you have any patches of dry skin, or in my cause healing breakouts (I know I should pick or pop my pimples but the temptation is real), the pro powder foundation will cling to those areas. 

I recently wore the Pro Powder Foundation to go visit my hairdresser, and I took some photos;  one being fresh after application, and the other 4 hours later. In the second photo, I noticed my nose becoming very oily, and breaking down the powder, as well as emphasis on some breakouts that are currently healing. 

Wearing the Pro Powder Foundation

After 4 hours (Look at that shiny nose)

Conclusion

I do really enjoy the ease that this powder foundation provides. Is it worth the price? For me, yes it is. It's versatile, quick and easy to apply, and easy to touch up if required. On hot days if I feel to wearing some makeup, this is what I reach for because it is extremely light on the skin, that I forget that I'm even wearing makeup. Sacha has been hitting it out of the park with their products lately, and I hope they maintain their momentum. 

I will link some of my other Sacha product reviews below this post, and until next time stay safe, and thank you for dropping by.

Bye(^_^)/

Sacha Reviews 

Buttercup Powder (Original): https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-sacha-cosmetics_16.html

Intense Matte Lip Velvet: https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2016/03/product-review-swatches-sacha-cosmetics.html

Product Review: Maybelline Superstay Foundation

Hello Everyone! Welcome back to the blog today.

Today, I have a review of the Maybelline Superstay Foundation. I've been testing this foundation for two (2)months.....yes, TWO (2) months! This is the longest I've ever taken to test a product, and that's mainly because I've been having a hard time deciding whether or not I love this foundation.

I have this in the shade 310 Sun Beige, which is the lightest shade that is carried here in Trinidad. Firstly, I am not pleased with the colour selection available in Trinidad.This is a consistent issue with "drugstore" base makeup locally. I am far from the lightest complexion you'll see in Trinidad, and they carry too few shades for deeper complexions also. One would think that in a racially,and ethnically diverse country, the cosmetics being imported would reflect that diversity, but it does not.
Secondly, the pricing will vary according to the store you purchase it. I paid between TT$65-70 for mine, but I believe some stores have it for more than that.

Product Claims
This foundation claims to be/have;

• Full Coverage
• Matte finish 
• Lasts for 24 hours
• Breathable and Comfortable 
• Fade and Transfer-Resistant 
• Oil-free (Doesn't clog pores)

Does it live up to its claims?
I've worn this foundation for 8+ hours, and while my skin did get oily,the foundation itself was flawless. I didn't experience it breaking down throughout the day. The entire time I wore it it didn't feel heavy on the skin, and there was no sign of it fading in pigment or coverage during the day. I did experience a small amount of product transfer when my skin was oily, but it didn't impact the coverage whatsoever.

This foundation is full coverage. It hid any breakouts I was experiencing and it did not accentuate any pores when worn with a primer (I always wear primer underneath foundations). I love to apply this foundation with a damp makeup sponge (I use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge),or with a buffing brush like the elf Ultimate Blending Brush. I get the same level of coverage with both tools, however, the brush requires a bit more time to seamlessly blend the foundation into the skin.

The left side of my face (right side of the picture)is bare. The right side of my face (left side of the picture) is310 Sun Beige.

I saw many people complaining that they got very oily throughout the day being one of the main reasons why they didn't like this foundation. However, the foundation does not claim to be an oil-controlling foundation. I do have combination/oily skin, and I do get oily regardless of the oil-controlling abilities of a foundation, so it didn't really bother me or my opinion of the product. A quick blot with blotting paper, and its good to go.
Regarding the claim of not clogging pores, I have not experienced any breakouts, or increase in blackheads or clogged, congested pores since I started using this foundation.

First Impression versus Continued Use
When I first tried this foundation, I fell in love with the coverage but nothing else. I thought it felt super heavy, and looked cakey, and I just wanted to get it off my face that day. On this first use, I had used 2 full pumps of foundation, so I decided the next time I used it I would use less product. This was the key to falling in love with this foundation. Less product is important. We live in a world of social media videos showing gurus piling on layers upon layers of product, which may translate great on camera but in everyday life, not so much. This was why I initially disliked this foundation, I was too heavy handed. Now I tend to use 1 full pump all over my face, and then if I feel the need to add more coverage I use a touch of concealer, however, I've found myself refraining from concealer because this foundation does such a good job at covering whatever I want to cover.

Final Thoughts
This foundation has many mixed reviews, and initially I didn't want to try it because of this. However, I am a believer in trying out products and forming my own opinions, as well as my genuine curiosity as to whether or not this foundation can hold up in a tropical climate. During the two months of testing, Trinidad has had some incredibly hot and humid days, and while I did get oily, the foundation itself held up very well. Honestly, I believe with a good mattifying primer, and good setting powder and setting spray, this foundation is worth the money.

Thank you all so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed.
I'm playing around with the format of my review(s) posts here, hence why no review blog post is the same. Feel free to let me know what elements you like or dislike, and I can adapt that into future posts.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy and positive.
Bye (^_^)/

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 (^_^)/

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 (^_^)/

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! (^_^)/

L.A Girl Cosmetics Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses Swatches and Review

Hello everyone! Welcome back!

I'm feeling better this week, so I decided to play with my L.A. Girl Cosmetics Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses that I recently purchased. If you live in Trinidad and want to get your hands on these, you can find them at Tres Belle Cosmetique, Wonderful World, or you can order them from The BeautyBox 868.

I have four shades to share with you today, two of the shades, I've done wear tests with. The shades I own are;

1. Fleur - peachy nude
2. Rebel - a mid tone purpley-mauve shade
3. Secret - deep brick red
4. Backstage - deep/vampy berry (with purple undertones)

L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss

Wear Testing
I've worn both Fleur (to work) and Rebel (visiting my grandma), and I can say that they are very lightweight, and they do tend to stay the lips for a long time. They wear beautifully throughout the day, even if you are eating and drinking, I'd say approximately 5-6 hours...I lost track of time.....but they leave a nice stain to the lips.

Taken from my Instagram: @ladyjpsych

 

 

 

Taken from my Instagram: @ladyjpsych

Application
In terms of application, the product has a flat doe type applicator that makes it easy to get the product on and remain within the lines of the lips. However, I do use a lip liner with Fleur, because on it's own it tends to wash out my complexion. These glosses take a while to set, usually about 1minutes (60 seconds) for one layer, and I would advise not smacking your lips together while the product is setting, because it causes the product to flake off.

Backstage & Secret (Lip Swatches)
Backstage is the only one of my four that requires two layers to get the true colour, although on my lips Rebel doesn't look as purple as the swatch but I still really love the colour I get in one layer.

 

 

 

 

Lip Swatch of Backstage (2 layers)

 

 Secret is going to become a staple for me, because I absolutely adore red lips.

Lip Swatch of Secret (1 layer)

In the end, these are very good products for the price (I paid $35TT on sale), and if you like liquid lipsticks, give these a try. They're inexpensive, long lasting, pigmented, matte without being overly drying the lips, and the chubby packaging is super cute.

Before I end, I just wanted to thank those of you who read my post last week. I'm not usually one to talk about feeling down, however, as I grow older, and I get closer to my dream of becoming a psychologist, it will be important for me to talk about particular topics, mostly mental health, and I se my blog as a great way to integrate that practice.

Thanks again for coming back to my blog, if you're new, then thank you for stopping by and I hope you will pay my blog another visit. Until next Friday, I hope you all stay happy, positive, and healthy!

Bye (^_^)/

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 (^_^)/

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 (^_^)/

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 (^_^)/.

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 (^_^)/

Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover

Hello dolls, this is my second time doing this post, because my Blogger app decided to crash before the full draft could upload....yay (n_n).

Today, I'm going to be talking all about the Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover.

In my last empties post, I spoke about the Simple Kind To Eyes Makeup Remover, and I mentioned that I was trying out something new to me because I've never used any eye makeup remover other than the one from Simple. Earlier this week, I posted a picture teasing this makeup remover, and all I can say is that this thing knocks my socks off.

Teaser Picture from my Instagram

Product Claims : 

• Quick-Break Action - Shake to activate dual phase formula. First Phase instantly breaks up stubborn makeup, even waterproof mascara, while the second washes it clean.

The claim that this makeup remover instantly breaks up makeup made me laugh in the store, and that was what drove me to try this out for myself. I will admit, this things breaks up makeup very quickly including waterproof mascara and long-lasting gel liner, and you need to use very little to get fast results and I didn't experience any irritation when using it.
What I do, is put 3-4 drops onto a cotton pad or cotton round, hold it to the eye, count to five (5) and then boom, eye makeup is gone.
It's great at cleaning up any fallout from shadows under the eye as long as you don't have on your base makeup, and I know a lot of people tend to do face first then eyes, I tend to do the opposite (eyes then face).

This makeup remover cost me approximately $50TT, which is really good price especially since my beloved Simple Makeup Remover is double that at $100TT. The Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover, does give you a lot more bang for your buck, it removes makeup faster than the Simple, it's gentle on the eyes as it has no perfume/fragrance and it's half the price of the Simple.  

Would I recommend this product? Yes, I highly recommend it.

This therefore concludes, this weeks post. I know I haven't posted a May favourites just yet, I'm working on it and I am also working on a post all about my favourite single eyeshadows, that can be used to achieve a quick and simple one shadow look for work or school. Emilynoel83 on YouTube who runs Beauty Broadcast blog, did a video on this I believe last year, if not, the year before and I was never able to get it out of my head, so I figured I would do my own version of it.

Until next time, stay happy, stay positive and stay healthy and I will talk to you all soon.
Bye (^_^)/