Product Review: My Juvia's Place Collection Part I

Welcome to the first post of 2019!
I do hope you all are doing well.  I'm so very sorry for abandoning the blog in 2018. However, I've rededicated myself to posting, and will be introducing new content to the blog throughout the year.

Today, I'm making my return by doing a series focusing on my Juvia's Place (JP) eyeshadow palette collection. I currently own five (5) palettes from their current line, and for this part,  I'll be reviewing and sharing looks and swatches of the two (2) palettes that I have owned the longest.
In December 2017, I purchased the Zulu, and the Saharan II palettes at a local store, Jeulynn. I paid TT$250, and TT$275 respectively for each palette at the time. However, Starlite recently added Juvia's Place palettes to their store with prices starting at TT$195, and they are authentic.

The Zulu Palette 

The Zulu palette was initially a limited edition launch by JP, however, it is still being sold on their website. I truly love this palette, and I hope and pray that they never...and I mean never discontinue this palette. This palette is absolutely beautiful. The colours are vibrant and vivid. When I bought this palette, I was stuck in a neutral eyeshadow rut. I was terrified of colourful eyeshadow due to my colourful hair, thinking they would clash with each other.

Juvia's Place Zulu Palette

This picture makes my palette look pristine, and untouched. However, I use this palette all the time. Whenever I need to add a pop of colour, I pull this palette. Whenever I feel like doing a colourful look, or a character inspired makeup look, this is what I reach for. *(Character inspired looks will be returning this year yay!!)* 

Swatches

These swatches are done with my fingers. The yellow and purple were layered (built up) to show the opacity of the colour. These colours build up well, and also blend well. I've not experience difficulty blending the purple eyeshadow; no patchiness and it does not blend away. I have experienced some staining with the bright pink, however, it doesn't deter me from using the palette.

The Saharan II 

Modern day neutrals that aren't for the faint-hearted with some pops of colour, is how I would describe the Saharan II palette. I bought this palette to help me ground the Zulu palette since it was far out of my comfort zone.
My Saharan II is very well loved. It was my first introduction to the texture of JP eyeshadows as I used this palette before breaking into the Zulu.

Current state of my palette. Very well loved.

These eyeshadows are the epitome of buttery, and blendable. The metallic and shimmer shades are very soft and delicate. I learnt this the hard way when my palette fell and Hadiya (top right) broke. I managed to repair it with some rubbing alcohol, and I've not experienced any texture change with the shadow since that. The mattes in this palette blend very easily, and are extremely pigmented so a little goes a long way.

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 (^_^)/

Makeup Play #5: Olive me!

Hello everyone!

I promised on my last Instagram post (see here) that I would post the details of the makeup look here on the blog. I've been struggling with both a carpal tunnel flare, and lovely allergies, so I apologize for the delay in posting. 

Anyways, enough random blabbering, and on we go to the makeup look.

Eyeshadow

For this look I used;

1. Juvia's Place Saharan II Eyeshadow Palette - Taza (bottom right), and Fez (Bottom left) were both used in the crease to add warmth to the look. Aziza (Second shade in Top Row) was used as my inner corner highlight.
   

   

   Juvia's Place Saharan II

2. Tartlette in Bloom Palette - Smartypants and Jetsetter, located in the second row (the first and second shades), were used as transition shades before using Fez and Taza from the Saharan II in the crease. Activist and Smokeshow were used in both the outer corner, and lower lashline, to smoke out the look.

   

   Tartlette in Bloom

3. MAC Sumptuous Olive Single Eyeshadow was used on the lid.

   

   MAC Sumptuous Olive

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Eyebrows and Mascara

   Revlon Colorstay Brow Pencil in Black
   City Color Cosmetics Brow Duo in Medium to Dark (discontinued) 😢
   CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara  in Black (Review Coming Soon)

   Face

   Foundation - L.A. Colors Truly Matte Foundation in Golden Beige (Full Review Coming Soon)
   Concealer - NYX Dark Circle Corrector in Medium 
   Powder - L.A. Colors Translucent Setting Powder 
   Blush and Contour - BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush 2

   Lips

   Sacha Intense Matte Lip Velvet in The "It" Color
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   We've come to the end of this post,and thank you so much for stopping by. I have some product reviews coming soon, as well as an update to my Sacha Lip Velvets post in the works as well. Is there a product or a post that you'd like to see? Feel free to leave a comment with a suggestion.
   Until next time, have a great week!
   Stay happy, healthy and positive, and I'll talk with you soon.
   Bye guys! (^_^)/
   
   

Empties: Makeup and Skincare

 Hello everyone!
Today's post is going to be an empties post, with mini reviews of the products I've used up.

Makeup Empties

 

L'Oreal True Match Foundation W6 Sun Beige- One of my go-to foundations. It's got a nice medium buildable coverage with a natural finish. My best colour match, and I often mix this in with foundations that are far too cool-toned (pink) for my skin. I tend to use this foundation on days when I don't want a full matte face. This product doesn't break me out or clog my pores. I always repurchase this foundation, and I already have one in backups draw.

Revlon Colorstay Brow Pencil (Soft Black) - This brow pencil has quickly become one of my absolute favourites. The formula is super creamy and pigmented, so a little product goes a long way. With light pressure, you're able to achieve hair like strokes, with increased pressure, you can obtain the perfect Instagram brows. The spoolie on the end combs the product through evenly. I genuinely enjoy using this product, and since repurchasing it, I've been using it every time I do my makeup.

Kleancolor Mellow Gel Eye Pencil (Indigo) - Pigmented, and creamy while it lasted. I was thoroughly enjoying this inexpensive eyeliner until the bottom of the pencil snapped off, and the product just dropped straight out 😞. Not going to repurchase!

Hair and Skin Care

Biore Charcoal Cleanser - Favourite face wash of all time. I've had less blackheads and breakouts since I started using this product. I tend to repurchase this whenever I get low, and recently I had a lot of difficulty finding this cleanser so I switched temporarily to Noxzema Cream Cleanser, which I've been enjoying but I can't wait to return to this cleanser. I may begin to rotate between the Noxzema and Biore as they're both inexpensive, and clean the skin well without over-drying. However, the Biore tends to keep breakouts at bay better than the Noxzema for me.

Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 - Favourite moisturizer of all time. I started using this in 2016, and it's the only moisturizer I continually repurchase. It's light enough to be worn under makeup without breaking down the product, but still incredible moisturizing. My skin tethers between combination to extremely oily, and this just brings balance to my skin. I absolutely love this product.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave In Cream -  I have chemically straightened,and dyed hair, and this leave in kept my hair hydrated and soft to the touch. It has UV shields that help prevent color fading, and lock in the moisture as well. This was my third bottle, and now I cannot find it to repurchase anywhere in Trinidad 😢😢. I have been without this now for 2 months, and my hair gets extremely dried out by the sun without it. I may have to switch to something new, but I don't know what to try. If I find it, I will definitely be stocking up.

QOTD: What is your favourite leave in conditioner or leave in cream? Feel free to leave a comment, because I would love to get your recommendations.

Until next time,stay happy, healthy, and positive.
Bye (^_^)/